Glasgow, July 27: When an Indian athlete steps onto the competition arena, the spotlight naturally follows the competitor. The medals, the records and the applause belong to the athlete. Yet every performance is built on countless hours of planning, guidance and encouragement from the people standing just beyond the cameras—the coaches.
As Team India builds momentum at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with a medal-winning start in para powerlifting and record-breaking performances in weightlifting, another story is quietly unfolding behind the scenes. It is the story of the coaches who spend months, and often years, preparing athletes for these defining moments.
Coaching at a multi-sport Games extends far beyond technical instruction. Every day begins with training schedules and recovery plans before moving to strategy sessions, video analysis and countless one-on-one conversations designed to keep athletes calm under pressure. A coach is often teacher, mentor, psychologist and tactician rolled into one. Their work is measured not just in medals, but in the confidence they inspire and the belief they instil.
Dr. P. T. Usha, President IOA said coaches remain one of the strongest pillars of every successful sporting campaign.
“As an athlete, I have always believed that behind every great performance is a great coach. Coaches dedicate years to nurturing talent, building confidence and preparing athletes for the biggest moments of their careers. They may not stand on the podium, but every medal India wins carries the imprint of a coach’s commitment and sacrifice. The Indian Olympic Association deeply values their contribution, and we are committed to providing our athletes with the strongest possible coaching support.”
The achievements of India’s weightlifters once again highlighted the importance of this partnership. Coach Vijay Sharma, whose work with Mirabai Chanu Saikhom has been instrumental in India’s rise as a weightlifting powerhouse, is among the country’s most respected high-performance coaches. Alongside him are assistant coaches and support staff whose tireless work often goes unnoticed but is critical in ensuring athletes remain physically prepared and mentally composed throughout the competition.
Across the Indian contingent, the coaching structure reflects the diverse demands of elite sport. In athletics, Chief Coach Radhakrishnan Nair oversees a large and experienced coaching team catering to specialists across sprints, middle and long distances, jumps and throws. Elite performers such as Neeraj Chopra and Murali Sreeshankar continue to benefit from close collaboration with their personal coaches, while the wider coaching group ensures athletes receive event-specific guidance throughout the Games.
Swimming, too, benefits from experienced guidance. Coaches Nihar Ameen and Sandeep Sejwal combine technical expertise with competitive experience, helping swimmers prepare for every race while managing the pressures of international competition. In boxing, coaches analyse opponents, refine tactics and provide crucial advice between rounds, where a few words can influence the outcome of a closely fought contest.
The same commitment extends to India’s para athletes. Team India’s campaign began with a medal in para powerlifting, underlining the value of meticulous preparation and close coach-athlete partnerships. Coaches such as Jitender Pal Singh continue to provide technical guidance, confidence and unwavering support, ensuring para athletes are able to compete at their very best on the Commonwealth stage.
The Indian Olympic Association has worked to ensure that athletes across disciplines are supported by experienced coaches and technical staff throughout the Games. It is an investment not only in performance but also in athlete welfare, confidence and long-term excellence.
Coaching is often described as a profession without a podium. Coaches celebrate victories from the sidelines, absorb disappointments in silence and, almost immediately, begin preparing for the next challenge. Every medal starts long before an athlete enters the arena—with a training plan, a technical correction, a tactical insight or a quiet conversation that builds confidence when it is needed most.
As Team India continues its campaign in Glasgow, the athletes will rightly remain the faces of India’s achievements. Standing just behind them, however, are the minds that have helped shape those performances. They may never wear the medal, but in every Indian success at these Games, there is the unmistakable imprint of a coach.
IOA FACT BOX
THE COACHES BEHIND TEAM INDIA
- Team India is supported by an extensive network of coaches and technical experts across all disciplines.
- Coaches play multiple roles, including technical instruction, tactical planning, recovery management, performance analysis and mental preparation.
- Athletics, weightlifting, boxing, swimming and para sports all rely on specialised coaching teams tailored to the demands of each discipline.
- The Indian Olympic Association has prioritised comprehensive coach-athlete support as part of its high-performance strategy at the Commonwealth Games.
- Every medal-winning performance reflects years of partnership, trust and preparation between athlete and coach.
