Two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra has ended his decade-long association with JSW Sports to launch his own athlete management firm, Vel Sports. The partnership, which began in 2016 when Chopra was scouted as a teenager, officially concluded in December 2025 after both parties agreed not to renew the contract.
Chopra credited the firm for its role in his formative years, stating, “JSW Sports has played a defining role in my career, and I’ll always remain grateful for their support and vision. As we conclude this chapter, I carry forward the same values into the next phase of my journey.”
During his ten years with JSW, the 28-year-old became the most successful Olympic athlete in Indian history, winning gold in Tokyo, silver in Paris, and a World Championship title in 2023. JSW Sports CEO Divyanshu Singh described the experience as “incredible,” adding that Chopra’s success reflected their “shared philosophy of excellence and purpose.”
Beyond management, sources confirm that Chopra is also looking to establish a Track & Field High Performance Centre in the near future. While most athletes wait until retirement to enter entrepreneurship, Chopra has chosen to launch Vel Sports during the prime of his competitive career.
The transition comes as Chopra focuses on recovery following a challenging 2025 season. He competed in the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo last September while battling two injuries, including a severe back issue. Despite a best throw of 84.03m leading to an eighth-place finish; ending a remarkable 2,566-day podium streak.
Athletics Federation of India spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla praised his determination. “Hats off to him that he took part in the World Championships. I have seen his injury, the swelling, and he still competed. We even asked him not to compete but he said I have to do it for the country,” Sumariwalla said.
The AFI has confirmed that Chopra’s priority for the start of 2026 will be rehabilitation rather than early-season competitions. To facilitate his recovery, he has been granted a special exemption from the AFI’s new domestic qualification rules for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.
While other athletes must compete in a minimum of three domestic meets to prove their form, Sumariwalla explained the decision to exempt the champion: “We are not foolish enough to restrict our athletes. Neeraj Chopra is only one Neeraj. But for everyone else, the same rules apply.”
At present, there is no fixed timeline for Chopra’s return to the circuit, though he recorded a season-best of 90.23m in Doha last May. The focus remains on regaining full fitness ahead of the Asian Games, scheduled to run from September 19 to October 4 in Japan.
Chopra enters this new phase as both an athlete and an entrepreneur, moving away from the traditional management model that supported his rise to international stardom.
