TSK Spor Gücü Has Contributed to Turkish Sports for Over 100 Years

The Guard Team was established on July 18, 1920, on the order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The work began when Lieutenant Hakkı Bey was appointed to lead the team. Over time, this process paved the way for the development of organized sports activities within the Turkish Armed Forces. Sports activities took on an institutional structure with the laying of their foundations on June 1, 1923.

In Ankara, the Presidential Guard Force, established within the Presidential Guard Regiment, worked to develop the physical education capacity of its personnel and to prepare conscripted young people for national defense. Activities such as bayonet fighting, hand-to-hand combat, disabled swimming, running, and military pentathlon were carried out. Athletes who grew up within this force later took part in competitions in various branches and contributed to Turkish sports.

The TSK Spor Gücü Command currently operates in 22 branches: athletics, shooting, cross-country running, wrestling, kickboxing, triathlon, orienteering, biathlon, modern pentathlon, parachuting, climbing, archery, chess, military pentathlon, equestrian sports, swimming, naval pentathlon, yacht sailing, rowing, air pentathlon, wushu kung fu, and muaythai. The command represents the Turkish Armed Forces on national and international platforms by taking part in domestic and foreign events. It ensures that athletes from among regular and contracted personnel, as well as qualified NCOs and privates serving in the ranks, are included in the team squads. The command's core duties include contributing to the development of personnel's sense of belonging and representative ability, and promoting the Turkish Armed Forces.

Competing with sports clubs in Turkey since the early years of the Republic, TSK Spor Gücü continues to provide athletes to Turkish national teams across various branches, contributing to the country's international sporting strength.

Commander Instructor Colonel Serkan Arslan stated that the command's history dates back to the early years of the Republic. Arslan said that sport has been one of the important elements of military preparation since the earliest periods. Noting that athlete selection is carried out through championships and trials held across all forces, Arslan also mentioned that successful athletes are taken into camps aimed at target competitions.