The Outdoor Training at NDA has two components namely – Physical Training Team and Equitation Training Team.
Physical Training Team
Physical Training Team (PTT) stands for traditions built over the years of experiment with excellence through training and hard work. Culture growing out of such traditions has moulded every generation of cadets on a uniform pattern. It is this physical fitness that motivates a soldier to march into the valley of death, and air warrior to soar into alien skies and for a sailor to sail the formidable high seas.
Being an officer means above all, being a leader of men. Physical Training at NDA is the ideal opportunity for young cadets to learn important aspects of leadership like courage, stamina, team spirit, physical fitness, mental toughness and the will to win needed by Officers, who at various stages of their careers must be prepared to lead the smallest combat unit or advise the highest Government official. This value system is very faithfully upheld by all the cadets of the Academy.
The long training hours with close supervision, guidance and motivation provide the force for self-reliance with a responsible attitude. The physical training and sports programme at NDA is designed to allow each Cadet to achieve excellent physical fitness and acquire satisfactory abilities in sports. The compulsory physical training programme emphasizes physical fitness, elementary knowledge in a variety of sports, and sports administration.
PT programme at NDA includes a combination of physical training, the building of physical and mental endurance and fine balance of swimming training with some flexibility that permits cadets to pursue interests and aptitude in sports. The curriculum provides a sound foundation for both physical fitness and professional development. The demonstrated performance in the mandatory fitness tests, as well as tests of excellence with an above-average strong display of skills in sports, puts a cadet on a higher plane of the assessment ladder which is a prerequisite for acquiring the status of a cadet appointment. The Academy’s rigorous physical training programme continues throughout the entire stay of a cadet from the first to the sixth term.
PTT offers a range of sporting activities for cadets, encouraging them to compete against and become involved with local organizations. A high standard of physical fitness being an important part of Service life, cadets are encouraged to obtain a coaching or refereeing qualification for at least one sport. Competitions in a wide range of sports are conducted at the Academy and teams also take part in many civil competitions.
Each cadet also participates in the Inter Squadron and Inter Battalion sports events. Formal instructions include the basic skills/techniques and nuances of the game, which provide the basis for another valuable dimension of leadership. However, sports are not limited to team events; excellence in individual sports is also encouraged. Participation in sport is not compulsory, although cadets are encouraged to participate in at least one sport each season, Cadets who excel in various sports and physical activities are awarded proficiencies in the order of Merit Card, Half Blue, Blue and a Blazer being the highest.
It goes without saying that the primary aim of this institution is to produce physically fit military leaders and the institution can take justifiable pride in the fact that its alumni have touched themselves and their alma mater with glory on the battlefield time and again. We are extremely selective about the kind of young men who pass out of this academy. The elaborate assessment process in Physical Training ensures that those who are intellectually, physically and physiologically fit and motivated are selected to be moulded into potential officers of the Armed Forces.
At the diversity level, this team offers Karate, Boxing, Squash, Tennis, Yoga, Basketball, Volleyball, Hockey, Football, Handball and Swimming for those with the right skills and aptitudes. Unique in its concept, excellent in vision and exemplary in its performance, the Physical Training Team has delivered on its promise for the Armed Forces of India.
It is also noteworthy that the NDA was well and truly put on the Services sports map of India with coaching camps for hockey and athletics held at the Academy sports fields, a conditioning camp for the Indian Cricket team selected to tour the United Kingdom in March 1959, and a fitness-cum-medical camp for Indian Cricket probable for the Australian tour in mid-sixties. Also, for the Indian Hockey Team, a two-day practice session was hosted on the newly laid Astroturf hockey field in Jun 2009. As a consequence, two international footballers and three national squash players are among those who walked the portals of the Academy.
Equitation Training Team
From The Horses’ Mouth
The Equitation Training Team (ETT) has always been at the forefront of NDA and has motivated the Cadets of NDA in various competitions at National and International level. The dedication of the instructors and the cadets has made this team produce Arjuna Awardees in this sport and winning medals to the country at the international level. The Equitation Training aims at acquainting the cadets with the basic riding skills and makes them confident in riding alone across the country.
To enhance their equestrian nuances; the cadets are also exposed to learn the aspects of polo, show jumping, dressage and eventing. It is also important for cadets to gain a preliminary knowledge of animal and stable management and vet aids. These subjects are taught to get them closer to the horses and get to know about their habits in the stables. The methods of training at the team involves Theory classes, Practical training and Exposure to various disciplines of Equestrian events like Show Jumping, Cross Country, Riding, Hack Riding, Tent Pegging events, Dressage, Polo and other adventures in Equestrian sport.
The Inter Battalion Polo and Spurs finals are conducted every term to give adequate exposure to the cadets in the Equestrian discipline. This adventure and sportsman qualities also imbibe courage with compassion in the leaders of tomorrow. The Riding and Polo Club of the NDA has been designed to promote courage with compassion and a sense of esprit-de-corps compiled with leadership qualities in the members of the club.
The club teaches the quality of controlled risk with challenges in the sport sanguine in everyone’s life. The club is functional on Wednesday every week. The cadets from II to VI term show active participation in this club. They are exposed to basic riding techniques, cross country riding and basics of dressage, showjumping and polo. The Cadets are taught to ride for a long duration without causing fatigue to horses. They are trained for detection of lameness, care and management of horses. At present, there are 168 horses here and 09 stable sheds to house these horses.
The Equestrian Training Team has always stood out to perform the duties and to teach the essence of courage with compassion to these budding leaders. The ETT runs hand in hand for the success of the alma-mater to train the cadets in the basic leadership qualities and frame them into the bright future of our country.
The Equestrian training imparted at NDA has always been of a high order. The NDA alumni have always ensured a high standard of Equestrian sport not only at national but also at the international level. The recognition by the Govt of India by awarding Arjuna Awards and Medals to the number of Ex-NDA Officers in this sport is a testimony of high standard of Equestrian skills imparted at NDA.
Commandant’s Retiring Room at ETT
‘A fertile mind should conceive ideas like a galloping horse. One can only plan and implement these ideas if he is amongst horses.’ These are the words of Maj Gen E Habibullah, the first Commandant of NDA – It is said that every day after retiring from his Sudan Block office; he used to come to ETT and sit in “his” makeshift office on the first floor and formulate all policies and decisions for the academy. This room still exists at ETT.
The Ceremonial Buggy
The Double harness ceremonial buggy is the pride of NDA, it is the only of its kind, existing in the country today. The ‘Buggy’s existence can be traced back to 1953 and since then it has been used for the carriage of the Reviewing Officer. VVIPs visiting the academy have the privilege of being ceremonially escorted to Sudan Block. On ceremonial occasions, the carriage is escorted by six outriders. The NDA also houses the Commandant’s Single Harness Horse carriage. As per tradition; every Monday the Commandant uses it to go to Sudan Block office.
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Jai Hind
