The Services team’s haul of 61 Gold, 35 Silver and 32 Bronze medals has ensured that they finished at the top of the medals tally in the recently concluded 36^th National Games 2022 hosted by Gujarat. In the finest traditions of the Armed Forces, the Services team, under the aegis of Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), displayed exceptional fortitude, skill and sportsman spirit during the Games to become the proud winners of the Raja Bhalindra Singh Trophy, which is presented to the overall champions. This is the fourth consecutive overall championship trophy win for the Services at the National Games. 

Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar presented the trophy to President SSCB Air Marshal K Anatharaman and Secretary of SSCB Group Captain Dinesh Suri at the closing ceremony at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Indoor Stadium in Surat on October 12, 2022. The Air Marshal, on behalf of the Services, dedicated the trophy to all the service personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. The Secretary credited the rich medal haul to the discipline and dedication of all the athletes. 

The SSCB was established in 1919 and is one of the founder members of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). It is because of this legacy that SSCB has the privilege of participating in the National Games along with other States and Union Territories. The best athletes of the three services, the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force, undergo a gruelling selection process at the Inter-services level to be chosen and fielded as part of the Services Team for the National Games and World Military Games. 

The SSCB is one of the finest examples of inter services camaraderie and ethos. Several tri-services athletes from SSCB have gone on to win medals and honours when participating in international games, including the Olympics and Asian Games. The continued success of SSCB in the recent past is a testament to the efforts undertaken by the Services to promote sports in the country. 

ABB/AM/Savvy