Health Brand Herbalife signs Mary Kom as their Sponsored Sportsperson

The four time World Women Boxing Champion Mary Kom seems to be flying high these days. After being selected as the Brand Ambassador for the CWG 2010, she has associated herself with brand Hebalife’s sponsored sportsperson for its nutritional range of products. Moreover, the ambassador for International Boxing Association has also turn to coaching at her Boxing Academy in Imphal, Manipur.

MC Mary Kom is the recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the Padma Shri and the Arjuna Award. She is also recognized by the BBC and other experts as one of India’s foremost medal hopes at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Her training and preparation for the Olympics is supported by the Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), a not-for-profit foundation set up with the mission of winning Olympic gold medals for the country. The OGQ was started by Indian sports legends Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone.

Speaking about her association with Herbalife she said “I am extremely excited to be associated with an internationally respected brand like Herbalife and I look forward to working with Herbalife in the near future. As a professional athlete, I am proud to be associated with a brand that promotes the health and well being of its customers and together we can show people the value that lies in the Herbalife philosophy”. Herbalife sponsors athletes and around the globe. Its associated sports sponsorships also include the football club LA Galaxy, FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi amongst others.

When ask about her turning to coaching the mother of two said "I started the academy in 2007 but it has become more active only now. The army gave me equipment worth Rs 5 lakh while the CRPF also chipped in with equipment worth Rs 4 lakh,"
Talking about her own career, Mary Kom said she is looking forward to the upcoming World Championships in September and the Asian Games in November. "I have been training hard and since the pin weight would be replaced by light fly weight (48kg), I would have to bulk up a bit for which I would take nutritional supplements," she said. Mary Kom once again advocated the appointment of a foreign coach for the boxers.

"New ideas are always welcome. A foreign coach would bring a fresh perspective and that would help everyone. She also suggests Women to learn boxing as a tool for self defense.