A century of success journey of the Turkish Armed Forces Sports Force

The process, which started with the establishment of a Guard Team on July 18, 1920, by the order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, paved the way for the development of organized sports activities within the Turkish Armed Forces over time.

The work, which started with the appointment of Lieutenant Hakkı Bey as the head of the Guard Team, gained an institutional structure with the laying of the foundations of sports activities on June 1, 1923.

The Presidential Guard Force, established in Ankara within the body of the Presidential Guard Regiment, carried out various studies in order to improve the physical capacity of the personnel in physical training, increase the combat power and prepare the young people who were recruited for the defense of the homeland.

In this context, activities were carried out in different sports branches, as well as activities such as bayoneting, hand-to-hand combat, disabled swimming, running and military pentathlon.

Athletes trained within the Guard Force contributed to the development of Turkish sports by participating in competitions in various branches over time.

TAF Sports Force Command represents the Turkish Armed Forces on national and international platforms by participating in domestic and international organizations in the sports branches under its responsibility.

The command carries out activities in 22 different branches, including athletics, shooting, cross-country running, wrestling, kick boxing, triathlon, running target finding, biathlon, modern pentathlon, parachute, climbing, archery, chess, military pentathlon, equestrian, swimming, sea pentathlon, yacht-sailing, rowing, air pentathlon, wushu kung fu and muaythai.

Turkish Armed Forces Sports Force Command contributes to Turkish sports by ensuring that active duty and contracted personnel within the Turkish Armed Forces and athletes from qualified non-commissioned officers and privates are included in the team squads.

Source: TRT Haber Açık RSS (Gündem) (Open Press / Translated Full Text)