Sindhu seals deal with Li Ning

World No.10 shuttler Pusarla Venkata Sindhu has entered into a two-year deal with Chinese sports equipment manufacturer Li Ning as her two-year-old Yonex contract expired Friday.

As reported earlier by IANS, the World Championship bronze medallist has inked the lucrative deal with Li Ning after deciding not to renew her contract with Japanese giant Yonex and she will be seen in her new gear Saturday at the All India Senior Ranking Tournament in Kochi.

"Sindhu has seen the racquets and she likes them. She will be getting the apparel and other accessories before her contracts with Yonex runs out Friday midnight," Sindhu's father Pusarla Venkata Ramana told IANS Friday.

The former volleyball international said Yonex was keen on renewing his daughter's contract. New entrant in the Indian badminton market Adidas also showed interest in signing her.

"Li Ning's deal was by far the best, so we decided on it. The life of a sportsperson is short and we have to make the most of it. We chose whatever is best for our daughter," the Arjuna Awardee said.

"The issue with Adidas was that they are still in the process of launching in India. So we were unsure about their equipment."

Sindhu said she is happy with the Li Ning equipment.

"I gave them the racquet specifications and it is similar to what I have been using. The equipment is really good and I like it. I am quite happy with the deal," the 18-year-old told IANS from Kochi where she is currently playing the All India Senior Ranking Tournament.