India's Davis Cup captain Rohit Rajpal, has been appointed as the country’s Chef de Mission for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 2. According to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) sources, Rajpal’s appointment is viewed by the leadership as a "safe and efficient choice" given his extensive background. He currently serves as an Executive Committee member of the IOA and vice-president of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), adding to his years of experience leading the national Davis Cup team and handling various sports administration roles.
Rohit Rajpal becomes India's Chef de Mission for CWG 2026
The leadership contingent will also feature IOA President P T Usha, who will travel as part of the senior delegation alongside CEO Raghuram Iyer and Vignesh Vengalil Ujjwal. Assisting the primary leadership on the ground, Ravi Bengani has been named the Deputy Chef de Mission, while Vandana Rao and Rahul Swami will accompany the Indian contingent as general team managers for the duration of the Games.
"Rohit has vast administrative experience and enjoys good equations across federations. The feeling within the IOA is that he can manage a multi-discipline contingent efficiently and keep coordination smooth during the Games," the source told PTI.
“He is someone who understands both athlete requirements and federation dynamics. That balance was considered important, especially for a compact Games where logistics and coordination will be crucial," the source added.
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Rohit Rajpal’s calm professional approach, combined with his strong rapport with athletes and sports officials across various disciplines, played a significant role in his selection for the role. To further support the group, the Indian delegation will feature a prominent lineup of special guests, including legendary boxer M C Mary Kom, former hockey captain Kamalpreet Kaur, former athlete Sunaina Kumari, and former weightlifter Rajlaxmi Singh Deo.
The upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will feature a scaled-down format compared to previous editions, characterized by a reduced number of sports disciplines and participating athletes. In line with this streamlined approach, India is expected to send a compact and highly focused contingent to the event.