Georgian soldiers win friendly sports competition in Afghanistan

Georgian solders serving in Afghanistan achieved success in friendly sporting competition held between allied peacekeepers serving at the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.

Georgian peacekeepers challenged the Czech military contingent in a friendly sporting competition involving mini football, volleyball, arm wrestling and table tennis, before defeating them in the team and individual competition.

Georgian soldiers are playing football with Czech allies. Photo by MOD.

The Georgians were awarded medals and certificates for their efforts.

The military servicemen of 51st Battalion of V Infantry Brigade of Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) and the soldiers of the Czech military contingent are in Afghanistan to take part in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) follow-on Resolute Support mission.

The Georgians were awarded medals and certificates for their efforts. Photo by MOD.

The Georgian troops are based at the Bagram Air Base near Charikar, in the Parwan province of Afghanistan. Their job within the Resolute Support mission is to provide security to Bagram Air Base alongside United States’ Marines, and other duties.

The Resolute Support mission aimed to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces and local institutions.

At the NATO summit in Wales in September 2014, Georgia and other ISAF contributing nations underlined their commitment to continue supporting Afghanistan after the mission officially ended in 2014.

Late last year NATO allies and partners launched the NATO-led Resolute Support mission, a non-combat mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces and institutions.

Georgian soldiers have served under the Georgian flag for the past four years on a rotation basis in the ISAF mission. A total of 750 Georgia soldiers will serve in the Resolute Support mission, meaning Georgia will remain the largest non-NATO contributor to Afghanistan.