User talk:Niviasports

History

It all began in 1934

In 1934 after working for few years with sports retail shops in Rangoon, Pune & Sialkot Mr. Nihal Chand Kharabanda founded Freewill & Co. at Sialkot.

There is an interesting anecdote to how Freewill name was conceived. Mr. N.C. Kharabanda discussed the idea of forming a company of his own with his colleagues & friend Mr. H.C.Bhaizada. When Mr. N.C.Kharabanda asked his suggestion on the name of his firm his reply was “You are the man of your own FREEWILL. It is better you decide for yourself.”

“FREEWILL” Mr. N.C.Kharabanda quipped “That sounds interesting. My company would be called FREEWILL” and this is how name came into existence in 1934 at SIALKOT.

Up-Rooted by the partition of the country in 1947 FREEWILL shifted base from Sialkot to Mumbai to Meerut and then finally settled down at Jalandhar at the present premises S-32, Industrial Area.

Later in the early 1960s Mr. Vijay Kharabanda, the present Chairman and Managing Director joined hands with his father, launched full range of Leather hand stitched ball with the brand name NIVIA.

NIVIA is the name derived from the first letter of our founder Mr. NIHAL CHAND KHARABANDA and his son Mr. VIJAY KHARABANDA. 'NIHAL + VIJAY = NIVIA'

Over the years, Freewill group has consolidated its business and built new factories for Moulded Balls, Footwear, Shin Guards, and machine stitched balls etc. initiated by the third generation Mr. Rajesh Kharabanda into the business. Freewill now represents the best known names in Sports Flooring worldwide and is also continually expanding its marketing setup and presence all over the country.

Key Milestones 1934:- Mr. Nihal Chand Kharabanda founded Freewill & Co. at Sialkot.

1947:- FREEWILL shifted base from Sialkot to Mumbai, from Mumbai to Meerut and then finally settled down at Jalandhar at the present premises S-32, Industrial Area. 1960s:- •	Full range of Leather hand Stitched ball with brand name NIVIA launched. •	NIVIA had established itself as one of the front running sports brand in India. •	NIVIA products started winning its recognition from all quarters including: ''' Pre-Olympics Volleyball Championship (Delhi, 1963) Sports Institute, Leipzig (Germany, 1965)''' 1980s:-

•	FREEWILL was awarded the Appreciation Certificate by IX Asian Games organizing committee for providing sports balls            & services for the conduct of the games.

•	NIVIA has been the official ball for several Federations & Events including:

''' National football Leagues The National Games South Asian Federation SAF Games International Jawaharlal Nehru Tournaments Junior Commonwealth Handball Championships and many more…  1990s:-''' •	FREEWILL started representing some top European Sports Infrastructure Companies for Indian Territory Including: TARAFLEX for Sports Floor Janssen / Fristen for Gymnastics •	NIVIA Synthetics Pvt. Ltd, a new Sporting Balls manufacturing unit was established at B-5 sports & surgical Complex, Jalandhar. •	S.V. Industries, a new Sports Shoe unit got engaged in the manufacturing of the professional and lifestyle shoes at Leather Complex, Jalandhar. 2000s:- •	NIVIA footballs qualified for the category “Inspected” & “Approved” which corresponds to the technical requirements to be eligible for the use in FIFA matches and confederation matches.

•	NIVIA CHARITABLE HOSPITAL a non-commercial, non-profit trust to provide help and assistance to indigent people, was founded at Jalandhar.

•	FREEWILL brings manufacturing of “Machine Stitched“ balls for the first time to India.

•	The new premises in the two acre plot at leather complex built & started in 2009.

•	FREEWILL signs contract with JOOLA, Germany & TECNIFIBRE, France to market their products in India. •	Official Suppliers to Commonwealth Games 2011 for number of products of the following brands: ''' JOOLA TECNIFIBRE CONNOR''' •	Official Match ball supplier for:

'''24th Federation Cup National Basketball Championship, 2009 at Alwar 58th Senior National Volleyball Championship, 2009-10 at Gwalior National football Championship, 2010 32nd Federation Cup, 2010 61st Junior National Championship for Boys and Girls, 2010 at Vashi 19th Mini National Volleyball Championship, 2010 at Chennai ''' 2011 onwards:-

•	FREEWILL signs contract with PRINCE to market their products in India.

•	Official Match ball supplier for:

34th National Games, 2011 at Ranchi