International Women's Day 2024: Indian Army to elevate 'nari shakti' with Army Girls Sports Companies

International Women's Day 2024: In a significant stride towards women empowerment and showcasing Nari Shakti, the Indian Army is set to establish two Army Girls Sports Companies (AGSC) at key Centers of Excellence. These two centers, located at the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow and the Army Sports Institute in Pune, will be pivotal in nurturing young talent and fostering excellence in various sporting disciplines.

The AGSC initiative aims not only to identify promising young girls from across the nation but also to provide them with formal education alongside intensive training in sports like Shooting, Archery, Athletics, Boxing, and Weightlifting. This groundbreaking effort follows the success of Boys Sports Companies, showcasing the Indian Army's adeptness in scouting and honing emerging talents.

The chosen locations boast world-class training infrastructure, sports medicine centers, rehabilitation facilities, and coaching amenities. The AGSC participants will have the privilege of training alongside senior Army teams and athletes at these premier facilities, gaining inspiration and imbibing essential skills from accomplished sportspersons.

The AGSC aligns seamlessly with India's sports policy, aiming for increased podium finishes at the Olympics. Young girls enrolled in AGSCs will not only have the opportunity to pursue sports at the highest level but will also be eligible for recruitment as Direct Entry Non-Commissioned Officers and Direct Entry Junior Commissioned Officers, further enhancing their career prospects within the Indian Army.

Illustrating the success stories, Subedar Preeti Rajak, a champion trap shooter and Asian Games Silver medallist, emerged as the first woman soldier promoted to Subedar in January 2024 after being identified and enrolled at the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow. Similarly, Commonwealth Games 2022 Bronze medallist Jasmine Lamboria joined the Indian Army as a Non-Commissioned Officer in October 2022.

These accomplished athletes serve as role models, inspiring the incoming generation of talent to strive for sporting glory in their respective fields. The AGSCs are slated to be fully operational by April 2024, marking a pivotal moment in the Indian Army's commitment to fostering excellence, empowerment, and success among its female athletes.