As Indian athletes compete at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, a dedicated medical and support team led by orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala is working continuously to keep them fit, injury-free, and ready for competition throughout the event.
According to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the team provides round-the-clock medical care, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and recovery support to the athletes. Dr Pardiwala emphasised the importance of their presence, stating, “It is a wonderful journey as my team comprising Sumansh Sivalanka, Chris Pedra and Debashish Das are working with the athletes even before the Games began. For me, personally, it is reassuring when team managers come and tell me our presence is reassuring and adds value.”
Behind every athlete’s performance lies this dedicated support system, which ensures competitors are not only physically prepared but also mentally confident for the highest level of sport. Alongside coaches and team managers, the medical team has been active since the Indian contingent’s arrival, providing world-class care and injury management throughout the Games.
Dr Pardiwala highlighted that in modern elite sport, recovery and rehabilitation are as crucial as training, particularly in demanding multi-sport events requiring successive competition days. The IOA medical group includes physiotherapists Sumansh Sivalanka, Chris Pedra and Debashish Das, who assist athletes in recovery after training sessions and manage minor injuries to maintain competition readiness.
Glasgow has presented operational challenges due to the absence of a central Athletes’ Village, with Indian athletes housed across three hotels. To address this, the IOA has set up its primary treatment hub at the Mercure Hotel and deployed medical staff across all locations, ensuring immediate assistance whenever needed.
Recovery plays a vital role in sustaining peak performance and injury prevention. Dr Pardiwala said, “To see the smile on the faces of athletes is a joy, for they have had a hard day at work.” The team also extends support to smaller sports such as swimming and gymnastics that travel without dedicated medical personnel, while larger contingents like athletics have their own doctors and physiotherapists.
The Indian athletes’ performance reflects a wider ecosystem of coaches, doctors, physiotherapists, nutritionists, team managers, and logistics staff working collaboratively to allow athletes to concentrate fully on their competition.
As Team India embarks on its Commonwealth Games journey, medals on the podium will highlight athletic success but also represent the quiet dedication of a support network whose work often begins before dawn and continues well after the competitions conclude.