The Indian Army is set to establish two girls’ sports companies in Pune and Mhow, focusing on training young girls in various sports disciplines while also grooming them for potential careers in the armed forces, according to officials familiar with the development.
Scheduled to be raised at the Army Sports Institute in Pune and the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow by April, the initiative aligns with the national vision of women’s empowerment and showcases Nari Shakti (woman power), said officials requesting anonymity.
The primary objective is to identify young talent, offer formal education, address administrative needs, and train the girls to excel in their respective sporting disciplines. The sports companies will specialize in training young girls from across the country in shooting, archery, athletics, boxing, and weightlifting, drawing inspiration from the success of the army’s boys’ sports companies, which have a track record of identifying and nurturing talent.
The chosen locations boast world-class training infrastructure, including a sports medicine center, rehabilitation facility, and coaching amenities. The girls enrolled in these programs will also be eligible for recruitment as direct entry non-commissioned officers and direct entry junior commissioned officers, in addition to enrollment as Agniveers, noted an official.
Benefiting from the expertise of senior army teams and athletes training at these facilities, the young girls will find inspiration from accomplished sportspersons, helping them emulate international athletes and acquire essential skills. This initiative is in line with the army’s commitment to promoting women in sports and recognizing their achievements within the armed forces.
Highlighting the success stories, officials mentioned Havildar Preeti Rajak, a champion trap shooter, who became the first woman in the Indian Army to hold the rank of Subedar. Enrolled in the Corps of Military Police in December 2022 based on her exceptional performance in trap shooting, Rajak clinched a silver medal at the 19th Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou, China, in the trap women team event. Currently ranked 6th in India (trap women event), she is undergoing training at the elite Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
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