BY SANDHYA DISSANAYAKE, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has appointed Davis Cup captain Rohit Rajpal as the Chef de Mission for India’s contingent at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, scheduled from July 23 to August 2. The appointment comes as part of the leadership structure finalised by IOA sources for the multi-discipline event.
Rajpal, who also serves as an executive committee member of the Indian Olympic Association and vice-president of the All India Tennis Association, has been chosen for his extensive experience in both administration and team leadership.
He has long served as captain of India’s Davis Cup team and is known within Indian sport circles for his steady administrative approach and coordination skills. IOA insiders described him as a “safe and efficient choice” for managing a compact contingent at the Games.
According to sources, Rajpal’s ability to work across federations and maintain smooth communication between athletes and officials was a key factor in his selection. His calm working style and familiarity with multi-sport environments also strengthened his case.
The IOA leadership delegation will also include president P. T. Usha, CEO Raghuram Iyer, and Vignesh Vengalil Ujjwal. They will oversee overall coordination and support for the Indian team during the event.
Ravi Bengani has been named Deputy Chef de Mission. Meanwhile, Vandana Rao and Rahul Swami will serve as general team managers for the contingent.
Veteran sportspersons including boxer Mary Kom, former hockey captain Kamalpreet Kaur, former athlete Sunaina Kumari, and former weightlifter Rajlaxmi Singh Deo are expected to be part of the Indian delegation as special guests.
The Glasgow Commonwealth Games are expected to feature a reduced number of sports and athletes, with India likely to send a compact but focused contingent aiming for efficient performance and strong medal outcomes.
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