Knowledge Transfer as Vital as Medals at Glasgow Commonwealth Games – Rohit Rajpal’s Vision

When the Commonwealth Games finally lit up Glasgow on July 23, 2026, the roar of the crowds wasn’t the only thing on India’s radar. Rohit Rajpal, the country’s Chef de Mission, took a moment amidst the fanfare to remind everyone that the real prize could be the lessons learned on the sidelines.

“We’re here to win medals, of course,” Rajpal said, a slight smile playing on his lips, “but we’re also here to bring back knowledge that will shape our future, especially the bid for the 2030 centenary Games in Ahmedabad.” His words hung in the air, echoing a sentiment that resonates with every sporting delegation that looks beyond the podium.

India’s contingent in Glasgow is sizeable – 135 athletes, coaches and officials – competing across eight disciplines. The team deliberately skipped 3×3 basketball and netball, meaning fewer medal chances, but Rajpal insisted that the experience in those eight sports will be priceless.

The Glasgow Games have been a showcase of modern technology. From integrated control rooms to real‑time venue‑management software, every facet runs on data. Rajpal explained, “Technology has come into play. We need to understand all of that very well, because when we go back, we’ll be able to set up similar systems for our own events.” He added that the Indian team will take back the flag and baton, symbols that will travel to India as tangible reminders of what was achieved.

Beyond the high‑tech, there’s a very human side to the preparation. The athletes will stay in a cluster of hotels rather than a traditional Games Village. Four venues sit within an eight‑mile corridor, linked by dedicated shuttle services that weave through a limited‑traffic zone. Rajpal noted that the organisers even earmarked Indian‑cuisine restaurants to keep the team’s diet familiar and healthy.

On the welfare front, a medical centre has been set up inside the hotel zone, and special attention was given to a 16‑year‑old para‑cyclist whose travel‑chaperone issue was sorted out just in time. Such details, Rajpal believes, are the building blocks of a successful delegation.

India’s performance in recent Commonwealth Games provides a backdrop to Rajpal’s optimism. In Birmingham 2022 the country finished fourth with 61 medals (22 gold, 16 silver, 23 bronze), while the home Games in New Delhi 2010 saw a second‑place finish with a staggering 101 medals. The hope is that the Glasgow experience, both on and off the track, will help tip the scales in future editions.

High‑level officials are expected to join the Indian team in Glasgow – Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the Gujarat chief minister, the deputy chief minister and the state sports secretary. Their presence underscores the importance the government places on both the immediate competition and the longer‑term goal of hosting the 2030 Games.

In the end, Rajpal’s message is clear: medals are the sparkle you see on TV, but knowledge is the fire that fuels tomorrow’s success. As the Indian contingent lifts their flags and takes the baton home, they also carry back a trove of ideas that could one day light up Ahmedabad’s own Commonwealth Games stage.