At just 19, Pooja has already done what many athletes chase for a decade. Now, the Haryana-born high jumper has found a powerful ally. On October 28, 2026, VEL Sports Management, the athlete-first initiative founded on the vision of Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, announced that it has signed her.
For Indian athletics, this is more than a contract. It’s a sign that the sport’s biggest names are now investing in the next wave.
Why Pooja Is the Name to Watch?
Pooja’s breakthrough year has been remarkable. She won bronze in the women’s high jump at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Earlier this year, she also won gold at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong, clearing 1.93m to set a new Indian national record.


| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 19 |
| Home state | Haryana |
| Event | Women’s high jump |
| Asian Games 2026 | Bronze, Aichi-Nagoya |
| Asian U20 Championships | Gold, Hong Kong |
| National record | 1.93m |
| Signed with | VEL Sports Management |
What VEL Will Do for Her?
Talent wins medals, but a strong support system sustains careers. VEL’s integrated approach covers the following areas:
- Sporting development and training support: Helping Pooja access the right resources to keep improving her jump.
- Commercial representation: Managing her professional and business opportunities so she doesn’t have to.
- Brand partnerships and endorsements: Connecting her with brands that fit her image and values.
- Contract negotiations: Making sure the terms she signs are fair and well understood.
- Media and personal branding: Building her public presence as her profile grows.
- Long-term career planning: Looking beyond the next meet toward a lasting career, on and off the field.
The idea is simple: Pooja focuses on the bar, and VEL handles the business around it.
Voices Behind the Partnership
Himani Mor, Managing Director of VEL Sports Management, said VEL aims to build a strong support system around athletes. She added that Neeraj has always been passionate about giving back to the sporting community, and VEL is an extension of that belief.
Pooja shared that her focus remains on improving, representing India and chasing bigger milestones. She added that, coming from Haryana like Neeraj Chopra, she feels a special pride and hopes to inspire young athletes to dream big.
Conclusion
Indian athletes have often had talent but lacked structured career guidance. By placing a young record holder under professional management early, VEL is helping to close that gap. If you follow Indian athletics, keep an eye on more athletics coverage on TechnoSports and our latest sports news for updates on Pooja’s next competitions.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Pooja, the athlete signed by VEL Sports Management?
Pooja is a 19-year-old high jumper from Haryana. She is an Asian Games bronze medallist and holds the Indian national record of 1.93m.
Q2. What is VEL Sports Management?
It is an athlete representation initiative conceived by Neeraj Chopra. It supports athletes with brand deals, contracts, career management and personal branding.





