NEW DELHI: As India’s athletes chase medals at the ongoing Commonwealth Games, an equally important contest is unfolding outside the limelight. Behind every performance is the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) medical team, who work around the clock to ensure that athletes stay fit, recover quickly and are ready for competition through the demanding schedule.Headed by noted orthopedic surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, the IOA medical unit has been at work since the contingent arrived in Scotland. Assisted by physiotherapists Sumansh Sivalanka, Chris Pedra and Debashish Das, the team oversees injury management, physiotherapy, recovery protocols and rehabilitation across all disciplines.“It is a wonderful journey as my team consisting of Sumansh Sivalanka, Chris Pedra and Debashish Das is working with the athletes even before the Games start.
CJP Jantar Mantar Protest Updates
For me personally, it is reassuring when team leaders come and tell me that our presence is reassuring and adds value,” said Dr. Pardiwala.The task was made more challenging by the absence of an Athletes’ Village center in Glasgow 2026. With the Indian contingent spread across three hotels, the IOA has set up its main treatment center in the Mercure Hotel while deploying medical staff in all the bases of the team to ensure that the athletes have access to immediate assistance when needed.The medical unit also serves smaller contingents, such as swimming and gymnastics, that do not travel with dedicated doctors or physiotherapists. The larger teams, including athletics, have their own medical staff, but continue to coordinate with the IOA’s central support system.For athletes who compete in multiple days, recovery has become as crucial as training. Physiotherapy sessions, mobility work and rehabilitation programs are designed to minimize injury risks while helping competitors maintain peak performance.“The biggest satisfaction is seeing the smile on the faces of the athletes after they have had a hard day at work,” said Dr. Pardiwala.While the medals will dominate the headlines in the coming days, each podium will also end up owing something to the doctors, physiotherapists and support staff whose work begins before the athletes enter the field of play and often continues long after the end of the competition.For the IOA, the objective extends beyond medals – ensuring that every Indian athlete enters the competition with the confidence that a dedicated support team is firmly behind them.