21/04/2026
3rd ISSEMCON 2026 REPORT
3rd International Conference of Indian Society of Sports and Exercise Medicine 2026 (3rd ISSEMCON 2026)
The 3rd International Conference of the Indian Society of Sports and Exercise Medicine (ISSEMCON 2026) was successfully organized under the aegis of the Indian Society of Sports and Exercise Medicine (ISSEM) in collaboration with the Indian Federation of Sports Medicine (IFSM) from 11th to 12th April 2026. The conference was conducted with the theme “From Sideline to Spotlight: Evidence, Innovation and Excellence in Sports Medicine” at the NDMC Convention Centre, New Delhi Municipal Council, Sansad Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi.
Pre-conference workshops were organized on 10th April 2026 at the Sports Injury Centre, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, Ring Road, New Delhi. The Delhi Medical Council awarded a total of 9 hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits to the conference (6 hours for 11th April 2026 and 3 hours for 12th April 2026).
Pre-Conference Workshops (10th April 2026)
The inauguration of the pre-conference workshops was held on 10th April 2026 at the Sports Injury Centre, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital. The following dignitaries were present on the dais:
• Prof. Charu Bamba, Medical Superintendent, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi
• Prof. Geetika Khanna, Principal, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi
• Prof. Dobson Dominic, President, ISSEM; Head, Sports Medicine & Sports Science, Madha Medical College & Research Institute (MMCRI), Chennai
• Dr. Geetanjali, Scientist C, ICMR, New Delhi
• Dr. Harleen Uppal, Organising Secretary and Associate Professor, Sports Injury Centre, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.
Other office bearers of ISSEM including Dr. Kiran Kumar Kulkarni, Vice President and Chairman, Medical Committee, All India Football Federation (AIFF); Dr. Hanjabam Barun Sharma, General Secretary, ISSEM, IMS, BHU, Varanasi; and Dr. Gagan Kumar Banodhe, Treasurer, ISSEM, AIIMS Patna etc; Advisor, ISSEM, Dr. Sidharth Unnithan, Sports Medicine Physician and Member, AIFF Medical Committee; organising committee members (including Dr. Sushmita Kushwaha and Dr. Anil Yadav etc from Sports Injury Centre, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi) along with other senior professionals were also present.
A total of about 78 professionals participated in five pre-conference workshops:
1. Biomechanics – 20 participants
2. Sideline Emergency and On-field Care – 8 participants
3. Return to Sports – 17 participants
4. Musculoskeletal Ultrasound – 11 participants
5. Clinical Exercise Physiology: From Disease-Centred to Health-Oriented Practice – 22 participants
A total of 21 faculty members contributed to the workshops, including distinguished international experts such as Dr. Andrew Lindley (Head of Medical Education, Football Association of Wales UEFA, Medical Education Faculty NHS Wales, UK), Dr. Oren Tirosh (Clinical Biomechanics & Rehabilitation, RMIT University, Australia), and Dr. Nathan Reeves (Director, International Confederation of Sport and Exercise Science Practice, Australia).
Conference (11th to 12th April 2026)
The inauguration of the conference was held on 11th April 2026 at the NDMC Convention Centre, New Delhi Municipal Council, Sansad Marg, Connaught Place. The following dignitaries were present on the dais:
• Ms. Tanvi Khanna, Indian International Squash Player (Guest of Honour)
• Prof. Kavita Rani Sharma, Director, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital
• Prof. Deepak Joshi, Director, Sports Injury Centre, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital
• Prof. Dobson Dominic, President, ISSEM
• Dr. PSM Chandran, President, IFSM
• Dr. Hanjabam Barun Sharma, General Secretary, ISSEM; Sports-Exercise Medicine & Sciences: Lifestyle & Performance Medicine (Health & Physiological Medicine: Clinical & Interventional Physiology) Lab., Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
• Dr. Upul Madahapola, President, Sri Lanka Sports Medicine Association
• Dr. Nathan Reeves, Director, International Confederation of Sport and Exercise Science Practice, Australia
• Dr. Harleen Uppal, Organising Secretary and Associate Professor, Sports Injury Centre, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.
Other senior officials of ISSEM including Dr. Kiran Kumar Kulkarni (Vice President, ISSEM) and Dr. Gagan Kumar Banodhe (Treasurer, ISSEM) etc; Dr. Sidharth Unnithan (Advisor, ISSEM); senior officials of IFSM including Col. (Dr.) Rana K. Chengappa (Treasurer, IFSM), CEO, Sports Medicine & Ortho Rehab Centres, and Dr. Sanjay Sood (Joint Secretary, IFSM); organising committee members (including Dr. Sushmita Kushwaha and Dr. Anil Yadav etc from Sports Injury Centre, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi); and all other senior professionals were also present. During the inauguration ceremony, the official souvenir of the conference was also released, marking a significant milestone and commemorating the academic contributions of ISSEMCON 2026.
The conference witnessed participation from over 236 professionals and featured more than 101 faculty members, including 8 international experts from the United Kingdom [Dr. Andrew Lindley, Head of Medical Education, Football Association of Wales UEFA, Medical Education Faculty NHS Wales], Australia [Dr. Nathan Reeves, Director, International Confederation of Sport and Exercise Science Practice; and Dr. Oren Tirosh, Clinical Biomechanics & Rehabilitation, RMIT University], Sri Lanka [Dr. Upul Madahapola, President of Sri Lanka Sports Medicine Association; Dr. Asela JB Ratnayake, President-elect, Sri Lanka Sports Medicine Association; and Dr. Fariz Ahamed, Lead Consultant, Sports Medicine & MSK Medicine, Colombo South Teaching Hospital], and Kazakhstan [Dr. Berik Sattyklyshov and Dr. Yernar Tursynbet, both Sports Medicine Specialist, Republican Kazakh Kures Federation].
The scientific programme of the conference is attached below
Awards and Recognitions
During the inauguration ceremony, the Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports Medicine was conferred upon Dr. Ashok Ahuja, Former Head of Department of Sports Medicine, NSNIS Patiala [former team doctor for various national teams like Athletics, Boxing, Women Hockey, Badminton, Weight lifting & Wrestling; former Sports Medicine Consultant for various Asian Games, SAF games, Common wealth Games, world cup, World championships in different disciplines; worked with AIBA, ICC, BCCI, ACC, NADA, WSB, AFC, FIFA, Sporting Ethos and Sportify International etc], for his outstanding contributions to the field of Sports Medicine and his extensive service to national and international sports organizations.
In honor of Late Prof. (Dr.) Arun Kumar De [MBBS, DCH, MD (Physiology), Sports Med. (Germany), AFIMS, Incharge, Unit of Sports Medicine and Pulmonary Physiology, Department of Physiology (Retired Prof. & Head), Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi (U.P.), India], a pioneer in Sports & Exercise Physiology and Sports Medicine in India, the best oral and poster presentation awards were renamed as:
• “Late Prof. (Dr.) Arun Kumar De Prize for Best Oral Presentation in Sports and Exercise Sciences”
• “Late Prof. (Dr.) Arun Kumar De Prize for Best Poster Presentation in Sports and Exercise Sciences”
The awardees for 2026 were:
• Best Oral Presentation: Dr. Deepak Godhwal (Sports Injury Centre, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi)
• Best Poster Presentation: Mr. Pranav Kartha (School of Sports, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, D. Y. Patil University, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra)
Other awardees included:
• 2nd Best Oral: Dr. Shahrumi (Sports Injury Centre, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi)
• 3rd Best Oral: Dr. Karthikeyan SM and Dr. Shivita Kantrar (Sports Injury Centre, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi)
• 2nd Best Poster: Miss Navya Tidke (Sports & Exercise Biomechanics), School of Sports, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, D. Y. Patil University, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
• 3rd Best Poster: Dr. Praver Sharma, Dr. Laxminarayan Panday Government Medical College, Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh
Sports Medicine Quiz Competition
A Sports Medicine Quiz Competition was organized for junior and senior residents (DSM and MD) of Sports Medicine on 11th April 2026. The winners were:
• 1st Prize: Dr. Khalid and Dr. Vaishakhan (Sports Injury Centre, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi)
• 2nd Prize: Dr. Barath and Dr. Shivita (Sports Injury Centre, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi)
• 3rd Prize: Dr. Karthik and Dr. Senthuran (Department of Sports Medicine and Sports Sciences, Saveetha Medical College, Chennai)
Conclusion
The conference and pre-conference workshops were highly successful and widely appreciated by participants and faculty alike. The event served as a significant platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and advancement in the field of sports and exercise medicine.
During the conference, ISSEM and IFSM officials, organizing committee members, along with all faculty members and participants, collectively expressed a strong commitment towards clean sports with the message: “Play True, Win Clean.” This reaffirmed the shared vision of promoting ethical practices, anti-doping awareness, and integrity in sports.
An application to host the 4th International Conference of Indian Society of Sports and Exercise Medicine (ISSEMCON 2027) has been received from KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KLEAHER), Belagavi, Karnataka.
The Indian Society of Sports and Exercise Medicine expresses its sincere gratitude to all participants, faculty members, organizers, and collaborating institutions for their valuable contributions in making ISSEMCON 2026 a grand success.
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Indian Society of Sports and Exercise Medicine (ISSEM)
www.issem.in
