SAIS Fireside Chat: Inside Elite Performance

​What does it take to help athletes perform at their best... and how is that changing? Join Dr. Zafar Iqbal, a veteran of Premier League sports medicine, and Dr. Ravi Gill, sports medicine physician and co-founder of OPSIS, for a conversation on the people, science, and decisions shaping elite sport. From athlete health and recovery to performance data and emerging technology, they will share lessons from inside professional football and explore what’s next for the industry including opportunities for the next generation of sports professionals.

​Moderated by: Pratik Patel

​Pratik Patel, MS, RD, CSCS, is a performance health coach, registered dietitian, and founder of Blueprxnt. He spent more than 15 years in elite sport, including as Director of Performance Nutrition and Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for the New York Giants, with additional roles at Oregon, Michigan State, and Kansas State. Today, he translates elite sport science into practical strategies for health, recovery, and performance, with a particular focus on the South Asian community.

​Speakers

​Dr. Zafar Iqbal
Dr Zafar Iqbal is a Consultant Physician in Sport and Exercise Medicine with more than 20 years’ experience across Premier League football, international cricket and high-performance sport. He has previously worked as the First Team Dr at Tottenham Hotspurs FC and Head of Sports Medicine at Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace.  His last role in Club football was as the Head of Sports Medicine at Arsenal FC, when they recently won the Premier league. Throughout his career, Dr Iqbal has led multidisciplinary medical and performance teams, strengthened clinical governance and helped translate evidence into practical standards for elite sport. His wider contributions include work in match-day emergency care, national sports participation guidance and campaigns to improve access to automated external defibrillators.  He now leads his own Sports Medicine and Performance consultancy and continues to contribute to medical governance, education and mentoring. You can learn more about him at: www.drzaf.co.uk

​Dr. Ravi Gill
Dr. Ravi Gill is CEO of OPSIS, a TED speaker, and Sports Medicine Physician. His 15 years of experience spans the English Premier League, Olympic athletes, and world champion heavyweight boxers, helping elite performers optimize their health, recovery, and performance. He co-founded OPSIS to democratize performance intelligence globally, believing that elite level support should be available to everyone. Working with governments, private corporations, international sports programs, and grassroots communities, OPSIS combines medical expertise, performance science, and technology to turn individual data into practical, personalized action. Its mission is to give everyone, from world-class athletes to people seeking better health and performance in everyday life, the insight and support needed to reach their potential.

​About South Asians in Sports (SAIS)

​South Asians in Sports is the premier network of professionals across the sports industry. From the field to the front office, we're building a global community that connects, amplifies, and elevates South Asian excellence in sports. Learn more at sainsports.com.