EXCLUSIVE | 'As next hosts, we have a lot of things planned': India's 2026 Commonwealth Games Chef de Mission Rohit Rajpal

NEW DELHI: For Rohit Rajpal, India's Chef de Mission at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the job extends well beyond overseeing athletes on the field of play. Overseeing such a responsibility for the first time, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Executive Council member will not only be answerable for ensuring the contingent performs smoothly, but also for showcasing India as the 2030 Commonwealth Games host.Having sought guidance from predecessors and already putting structures in place, Rajpal also urged for realistic expectations, stressing that India's performance must be judged in the context of the event's reduced sporting programme rather than the overall medals tally.TimesofIndia.com spoke to Rajpal on the sidelines of the ceremonial send-off on Tuesday for the 124 Commonwealth Games athletes. The Games will be held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2.Excerpts:Q. First time that you've been appointed Chef de Mission. How big a responsibility do you feel this is?Rohit: So, I think this is both ways, I mean game wise, of course it is important. On the other hand, out of the game area, which is symbolically, this is going to be a very important event. As you know that we are the next hosts, so there are a lot of things planned, a lot of activities planned outside of the games as well. Where we have to have cultural dances to showcase India's culture. Flag hoisting. So there are a lot of other ceremonies that we are also looking to do, maybe a smaller version of India House, where all the medal winners can then meet the Indian diaspora.

Honourable Prime Minister is scheduled to come, I hope he can make time and make it. Because every time he comes, it adds a lot of credibility to India, of course and to the sport as well. So, we are hoping that, you know, that's going to happen. And you know there will be a lot of IOC members, where we would like to interact. The Honourable Sports Minister is coming there, because all the Commonwealth Sports Ministers are meeting on the 22nd.

So there are a lot of things, that makes it a little bit more challenging for me, a little bit more taxing. But I enjoy challenges. So I am going to do my very best to make sure that both in the games and off the games we come out with flying colours and we make India proud.

Q. Have you learned anything or sort of picked Gagan Narang's brain or someone else's brain who have been Chef de Missions in the past?Rohit: I am doing that. The Honourable Sports Secretary also advised me to do that. And Gagan (the Chef de Mission at Paris 2024 Olympics) has been very helpful.

I have been talking a lot to him. Other people who have been there, previously also talking a lot, talking a lot to the IOA staff, what the nuances are. Last time I was handling the kits for other people and it was very last minute. Now we are ready almost a month in advance.

So we are really trying to do things in advance. More streamlined, more structured, so that nothing is happening in haste and everything goes smoothly.I am, at the moment, captain as well too (with the Indian Davis Cup team).

And the captain also travels with the team. So I will put a structure in place where then other CDMs and other EC members will be structured and be divided with work. And I am hoping that they are going to really help out on the situation as the venues are separate.So I think once we have a good structure and a good execution plan and we execute it as per that, we will be okay. Q. The upcoming Commonwealth Games are going to be a scaled down event. How challenging is it to be mindful of the contingent's expectations and that of the people?Rohit: We need to have realistic expectations. And we need to compare apples to apples.

So we need to see whatever games we are playing in and what did we do previously and what are we doing now. Those are going to be more important for me to see.Because we have Asian Games following after this. We should not see the medals tally because we don't have the sports/disciplines where we usually do well and the tally goes up. So I think it's important that you guys (the media) should know that, so that you build it up accordingly and not over-expect. And, you know, in spite of maybe doing well, we still get trashed by the public saying that you guys didn't do well. So, let's compare apples to apples. And in all fairness to the athletes and to the contingent, that's my request.