Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth on Monday, October 12, expressed confidence that the Indian Army’s Mission Olympic Wing would help produce multiple Olympic medallists, as the Army felicitated its athletes who won medals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026.
The felicitation ceremony was held at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, where Army athletes who brought laurels to the country at the continental sporting event were recognised for their performances. The Army contingent secured 20 medals, comprising six gold, eight silver and six bronze, reflecting the contribution of military sportspersons to India’s sporting achievements.
Addressing the gathering, General Seth highlighted the role of the Mission Olympic Wing in identifying and nurturing sporting talent across the country. He said the Indian Army had established multiple Sports Nodes and Boys’ and Girls’ Sports Companies to develop athletes and create a sustained pipeline of talent for national and international competitions.
“I want to assure the nation that, as far as the Army is concerned, we have actively established multiple Sports Nodes across the country through Mission Olympic Wing. We have Boys Sports Companies and Girls Sports Companies. As a regular talent pipeline for every major championship, we will produce new athletes and provide them opportunities to play for the country,” the Army Chief said.
Established in 2001, the Mission Olympic Wing is a key initiative of the Indian Army to support talented sportspersons and prepare them for high-level competitions. It has five specialised hubs: the Rowing Node, Marksmanship Node for shooters, Equestrian Node, Sailing Node and the Army Sports Institute (ASI).
These facilities provide specialised support to athletes in their respective disciplines, contributing to the Army’s efforts to develop sporting talent and improve performance at major championships. The network of Sports Nodes and sports companies is also intended to identify emerging talent and provide athletes with opportunities to represent the country.
General Seth said the performances of Army athletes at the Asian Games had strengthened his confidence in their potential to win medals at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He expressed hope that several of the athletes present at the felicitation ceremony would reach the Olympic podium.
“It is my firm belief that in the coming Olympic Games, meeting the athletes today gives me full confidence that many of them will finish on the podium and win gold, silver and bronze medals for our country at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,” he said.
The Army Chief also called upon citizens to continue supporting and encouraging athletes throughout their sporting journeys. He acknowledged that winning medals at every competition was not always possible but stressed that participation, perseverance and the pursuit of podium finishes remained important elements of competitive sport.
“It is the duty of all us countrymen to keep encouraging them at all times because winning every time might not be possible. I won’t say that participating is enough — participating is important, but along with participating, winning a medal is also important,” General Seth said.
He reiterated that the Army would continue to support its sportspersons and expressed confidence that their hard work and dedication would bring recognition to both the Indian Army and the country on the international stage.
Among the Army’s prominent performers at the Asian Games was distance runner Gulveer Singh, who won two silver medals in the 1,500-metre and 10,000-metre events and a bronze in the 5,000 metres. His three-medal performance made him one of the standout athletes of the Indian Army contingent.
Trap shooter Neeru Dhanda also delivered an impressive performance, winning gold medals in the individual and mixed-team events, along with a silver in the women’s team competition. Her achievements highlighted the contribution of Army shooters to India’s performance in shooting at the continental meet.
Marathon runner Sawan Barwal was another notable performer, winning a silver medal. According to the report, his achievement marked the first time in 44 years that an Indian had won a marathon medal at the Asian Games.
The achievements of these athletes formed part of the Indian Army’s overall tally of 20 medals at the Aichi-Nagoya Games. Their performances also demonstrated the contribution of the Army’s structured sporting programmes in supporting athletes competing at major international events.
Trap shooter Neeru Dhanda, who joined the Indian Army last year, described her experience in the organisation as enriching, both personally and professionally. She said programmes that bring athletes together provide valuable exposure and opportunities to learn from others.
“Since I recently joined the Indian Army last year, this is a distinct experience. As individuals and sportspersons, we need this kind of exposure too. It is important to gain experience through such programmes,” Dhanda told PTI.
She added that such interactions helped athletes learn beyond their respective sporting disciplines, including how to engage with others and conduct themselves in different settings.
“We learn from every single thing, and sports teaches us a lot. Meeting people, learning how to interact and conduct ourselves — we are learning all of this by attending these programmes,” she said.
The Indian Army’s focus on sports combines specialised training, talent development and opportunities to compete at major championships. Through the Mission Olympic Wing, Sports Nodes and dedicated sports companies, the Army aims to provide athletes with a structured pathway to progress from talent identification to elite competition.
With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics approaching, General Seth’s remarks placed renewed emphasis on converting the Army’s achievements at the Asian Games into performances at the world’s premier sporting event. The Army’s stated objective is to continue developing athletes capable of winning medals for India while bringing recognition to the service through their sporting accomplishments.
