Air Force sports complex shut abruptly, outgoing IAF chief’s farewell event cancelled

The Union government has abruptly shut down the Air Force Sports Complex on Lok Kalyan Marg forcing the cancellation of a traditional farewell event for outgoing Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh. The facility, located inside the Race Course Air Force Station near the Prime Minister’s residence, was closed to members from 5 am on Wednesday until further notice. The sudden move has disappointed the serving personnel and veterans who frequent the site.

The closure disrupted the “golfing-out” ceremony planned for Wednesday for Air Chief Marshal Singh, who retires on October 31. Outgoing air chiefs typically receive the farewell in their capacity as patron-in-chief of the golf course. While it is not an official ceremony, it used to be a tradition till now.

Sources say that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs recently informed the IAF that it needed to reclaim the land allotted to the force decades ago. Sources confirmed that this time administrative reasons were cited behind the closure. Further, Land and Development Office (L&DO) has completed a survey of the complex.

The Indian Air Force was approached for a response, but by the time this copy was filed, no response had been received.

Officials say that the site houses training facilities for Agniveers and airmen, alongside recreational amenities including a swimming pool and restaurants for officers and veterans, adding that further action is currently under discussion.

The complex is one of the prime properties that government wants to take over. The Centre recently took possession of the 15-acre Jaipur Polo Ground after a Delhi court refused to stay its eviction. In August, the L&DO also evicted the Delhi Race Club from its premises. On May 22, the government issued a notice to the colonial-era Delhi Gymkhana Club to hand over its property under a public-purpose clause, a decision the club has challenged in the Delhi High Court.