Having worked in the field of sports medicine for more than 25 years, Dr. Riaz Ahmed has been a practicing physician for 37 years. After earning his MBBS from Jinnah Sindh Medical University in Karachi, he completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine at The Bart’s & The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, and his Post Graduate Diploma in Aviation Medicine at Aero Medical Institute, Pakistan Air Force.

He has made himself available to the best athletes at the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). As a team doctor or sports physician for the Pakistan National Cricket Team and National Hockey Team, he has covered 65 international tournaments.

He worked for the Pakistan Cricket Board for more than 14 years as the Senior General Manager (SGM) of Medical and Sports Science. He also spent 23 years as a Senior Flight Surgeon at PIA. In the areas of sports medicine, medical biomechanics, exercise, and rehabilitation therapy, Dr. Riaz has extensive experience.

He is adamant that the purpose of a sports medicine professional should be to maximize a patient’s or athlete’s physical ability and physiological performance in accordance with their potential—all without the use of drugs or surgery.

At Aadil Hospital, DHA, Lahore, Pakistan, Dr. Riaz Ahmed presently runs his own private facility under the name Neuromuscular Biomechanical Rehabilitation Clinic & Institute (NBRCI). The Pakistani government has registered this clinic and institute.

Journey to Sports Medicine

Pakistan International Airlines:

Dr. Riaz Joined Pakistan International Airline in 1985 as Medical Officer. In 1989, he did his Post Graduate Diploma in Aviation Medicine from Aero Medical Institute, PAF Base Mansoor, Karachi. Afterward he as a Flight Surgeon worked at PIA Air Crew Medical Centre, Islamabad and looked after the medical / aviation medical affairs of Cockpit & Cabin Crew as per the international Civil Aviation standards and as per ICAO protocol. He notably worked as VVIP Special food Certification Doctor from 1985 till 1984 and had the honor of accompanying Former -Prime Minster Pakistan Mr. Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to Saudi Arabia in 1992 and with Former-Prime Minister late Mrs. Benazir Bhutto (Iran and Turkey) in 1994. He was also elected for three consecutive term from 1992 till 1998 as President PIASSA (PIA Senior Staff Association) for Rawalpindi / Islamabad Base. Dr. Riaz Serve for 23 years in PIA and took early retirement in 2007 as Senior Flight Surgeon.

Pakistan Hockey Federation:

• National Hockey Team:- Dr. Riaz Ahmed as a National Team Doctor worked with National Hockey Team in 1994( Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament in Penang, Malaysia and Asian Games 1994 in Hiroshima, Japan). He also toured with national hockey team to South Africa in 1998 and India; Australia & China in 2005.
• Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine:- During his stint with national Hockey team, he was selected in 1995/96 by Mr. Farooq Umar Rtd Air Marshal than the MD PIAC and the President PHF for the post graduate diploma in sports Medicine. Dr. Riaz Successfully completed the Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine from The Bart’s & The London School of Medicine and Dentistry , Queen Mary, University of London.1996

Pakistan Cricket Board:

• Pakistan National Cricket Team:- Dr. Riaz Ahmed’s real transformation from Flight Surgeon to Sports Physician started when he joined Pakistan National Cricket Team/ PCB in the year 2000 on deputation from PIA. He worked on deputation continuously for five years from January 2000 till October 2004 with the national cricket team and developed and provided himself as an immense source of professional assistance and advice to the national as well as international players/teams. After completion of deputation, he joined back PIA in October, 2004.
• National High Performance Center:- His second stint with PCB re-started in July 2007, when he joined PCB / National High Performance Center as a regular employee after taking early retirement from Pakistan International Airline (PIA). This rejoining was very challenging and privileged for him. He not only worked with the national side but looked after all the medical affairs of PCB domestic cricket operation. He remained Head of Age Verification process of Junior Teams (U-13; U-16 &U19); As a Head of PCB Domestic Medical Operations, supervised all the PCB domestic events for medical cover and emergency purposes; incorporated and supervised fitness testing ,medical & Biomechanical assessment for national and domestic teams; arranged and successfully conducted courses at NHPC for strength and conditioning and sports physiotherapy.
• Train –the-Trainers Programs at NHPC:- Dr. Riaz had an immense passion for teaching and believed in enhancement of professional& personal developments via teaching and thus had been given the honor of presiding over multiple educational conferences, such as Fatima Memorial Medical College, Women University Lahore etc. to name a few. He also started Strength & Conditioning course for MSC students and Sports Physiotherapy course for DPT graduates, which was an opportunity for students to gain professional education that helps them developed the practical skills and experience, which is highly needed to acquire best jobs.
• Anti-doping Manager, PCB:- Successfully maintained the WADA/ICC and PCB anti-doping Code. Arranged domestic anti-doping testing for men and women cricket teams. For the integrity of sports, to protect the rights and health of all the participants and to keep the sports of cricket free from doping, the educational programs were organized at all levels i.e. U-13, U-16, U-19, Pakistan Shaheen, all domestic events, internationally departing teams. Proper liaison was made with ICC for whereabouts program, National Pool of Player (NPP) & Internationally Registered Testing Pool (IRTP). Result Management was conducted successfully as per PCB anti-doping Code.
• Covid Medical Manager, PCB:- During the Covid Pandemic from March 2020 till December 6, 2021, took preventive strategies, designed Up-to-date Covid Management Protocols for the national and domestic Teams. He had the honor to be an essential part of PCB Domestic Cricket Operations in organizing successfully the domestic cricket season during the Covid pandemic whereas no cricket was played in the world during that period and also help PCB International cricket operation to organize the international series in the country and abroad maintaining all the mandatory protocols as per Covid SOPs for the health and safety of teams and organizers.

Shifa International Hospital Ltd. Islamabad:

Dr. Riaz also worked as Visiting Sports Medicine Consultant (fitness & rehabilitation expert) at SHIFA INTERNATIONAL (PVT) HOSPITAL ISLAMABAD from Nov 2004 –June 2007

After successful completion of more than 20 years in Pakistan Cricket Board and successful supervision of 65 international series and events, Dr. Riaz Ahmed Honorably retired on 6th December, 2021 Aa SGM Medical and Sports Sciences.

Dr. Riaz Ahmed currently operates his own private setup with the name of Neuro Muscular Biomechanical Rehabilitation Clinic & Institute (NBRCI) at Aadil Hospital, DHA, Lahore, Pakistan. This clinic and institute is registered by the Government of Pakistan.