Dr. Kannan Pugazhendi, founder of SPARRC and an esteemed sports physician, graduated from Madras Medical College in 1986. Committed to advancing sports medicine in India, he gained early career exposure through prestigious assignments, including his role as the Team Physician for the Indian Cricket Team during the 1989 West Indies series. He further honed his expertise by earning a Master’s in Sports Medicine from the University of New South Wales, Australia. What sets him apart is his integration of sports medicine and yoga into pain management which has led to 1 million success stories.
With over two decades of service as the Medical Officer at the YMCA College of Physical Education, Dr. Kannan identified the urgent need for accessible sports medicine. In response, he founded the Fitness Foundation Academy, a centre dedicated to supporting underprivileged athletes. His vision led to the creation of SPARRC (Sports Performance Assessment, Rehabilitation & Research Counseling) Institute in 2006, which has since expanded into a nationwide chain of Sports and Fitness Medicine centres.
Dr Kannan has played a transformative role in shaping India’s sports and fitness landscape. His extensive contributions include:
Training and Mentorship: He has trained medical professionals, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and elite athletes, shaping the next generation of sports medicine experts.
Thought Leadership: A prolific writer, he has contributed articles and Q&A series to leading publications, including The Indian Express and The Hindu.
Innovative Specializations: In 2017, he pioneered the concept of Fitness Medicine, establishing a new domain focused on lifestyle disease management.
Institution Building: As the founder of the Indian Institute of Sports Medicine (IISM), he has spearheaded specialised education in sports medicine.
Academia: Currently, he serves as a visiting faculty member at IIM Rohtak in the Department of Sports Management.
Social Impact: Dedicated to community service, he provides free consultations to economically disadvantaged individuals.
Pediatric Sports Medicine: He developed FAMES (Fitness Adaptation and Movement Education Services), an initiative enhancing the physical well-being of specially-abled children.
Law Enforcement & Military Training:
Revamped Tamil Nadu Police’s outdoor training manual, incorporating cutting-edge fitness methodologies.
Advised the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in 2002-03 on strategies to prevent pelvic bone stress fractures in women cadets.
Designed a specialised fitness program for the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Hyderabad.
Dance Medicine: As a consultant at Kalakshetra, he pioneered a curriculum integrating sports medicine into classical dance training.
Marathon Medicine: Serving as the official Sports Physician for the Chennai, Hyderabad, and Delhi Marathons, he has been instrumental in athlete health management.
Cancer Awareness & Public Health:
Partnered with the Cancer Institute, Chennai, in multiple awareness programs emphasizing the role of fitness in cancer prevention.
Organized the “Race Against Cancer” Chennai Marathon (2014) and Youth Health Mela to promote health awareness among young people.
Sports Excellence & Administration:
Served as an elected board member of the Chief Minister’s Project – SDAT (Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu), contributing to India’s Olympic 2016 preparations.
Played a pivotal role in Special Olympics – National Level by training primary care teams for handling on-field and off-field sports injuries.
Sports Physician for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, providing medical expertise at the world’s biggest sporting event.
Team Physician for the Indian Hockey Team at the 2002 World Cup, ensuring elite athlete performance and injury management on the global stage.
Team Physician for the Indian Cricket Team during the 1989 West Indies series, marking the beginning of his international career.
Elected Board Member – Chief Minister’s Project, SDAT (Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu), contributing to India’s 2016 Olympic preparations.
Key figure in the Special Olympics – National Level, training primary care teams for on-field and off-field sports injury management.
Dr. Kannan has worked with India’s top national teams, including:
Cricket, Hockey, Football, Squash, Rugby, Triathlon, Volleyball (Women), Sailing, Softball (Girls), and Korfball.
Additionally, he has served as Ringside Physician & Consultant for:
Tamil Nadu Boxing Association
Tamil Nadu Judo Association
Tamil Nadu Basketball Association
Tamil Nadu Amateur Athletic Association
Asian Squash Championship
South Asian Federation (SAF) Games
Created “Ollibelly”, a groundbreaking weight-loss reality show on Star Vijay, where contestants collectively shed over 1,000 kg in less than three months.
Continues to push the boundaries of non-invasive and conservative medical approaches in sports medicine, earning numerous accolades for his contributions to public health.
Dr. Kannan Pugazhendi’s work has redefined sports medicine in India, bridging the gap between medical science, fitness, and social impact. His unwavering dedication ensures that athletes, law enforcement personnel, and everyday individuals benefit from cutting-edge, evidence-based fitness and rehabilitation solutions.
