New Delhi
In alignment with the national vision of ‘women empowerment’ and the demonstration of ‘Nari Shakti,’ the Indian Army is establishing two Army Girls Sports Companies (AGSC) in a phased manner. These AGSCs will be situated at two Army Centers of Excellence nodes the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, and the Army Sports Institute in Pune. Expected to commence operations in April 2024, the AGSCs aim to train young girls from across the country in various disciplines such as Shooting, Archery, Athletics, Boxing, and Weightlifting. The objective is to identify young talents, and provide them with formal education, fulfill administrative requirements, and train them to excel in their chosen sporting disciplines. These locations boast world-class training infrastructure, including sports medicine centers, rehabilitation facilities, and coaching amenities. Drawing from the Indian Army’s extensive experience in scouting for young talent, exemplified by the success of Boys Sports Companies, the AGSCs are set to become hubs of athletic excellence. The aspiring athletes at AGSCs will have the opportunity to interact with senior Army teams and athletes undergoing training at these facilities. Aligned with India’s sports policy aimed at securing more podium finishes at the Olympics, AGSC participants will be eligible for recruitment as direct entry Non-Commissioned Officers, Direct Entry Junior Commissioned Officers, and enrollment as Agni veers. Notably, athletes like Subedar Preeti Rajak, a champion trap shooter, and Asian Games Silver medallist, and Jasmine Lamboria, Bronze medallist in the Commonwealth Games 2022, have been enrolled in the Indian Army, serving as role models for the aspiring young talent in their respective fields. Their achievements serve as inspirations for future generations to strive for sporting glory.
