IAF Chief’s Farewell Golf Ceremony Cancelled After Sudden Closure of Air Force Sports Complex Near PM’s Residence

The Air Force Sports Complex (AFSC) at Lok Kalyan Marg, inside Race Course Air Force Station in New Delhi, was shut to members from 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, until further orders, abruptly cancelling the traditional farewell “golfing-out” planned for outgoing Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who retires on October 31.

The closure was communicated to members on Tuesday through a message that said: “Greetings of the day! The Complex will remain closed on 28 Oct from 5.00am till further orders.” Maintenance, domestic and contractual staff were told not to report for duty from Monday, while visitors, including contractual workers seeking access to the canteen, were turned away. Air Force Station personnel confirmed the shutdown and said an eviction notice issued in 2017 remained relevant, with discussions still underway.

The timing is especially significant because Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who became the 28th Chief of the Air Staff on September 30, 2024, is due to superannuate on October 31. He has logged more than 5,000 flying hours. Under long-standing tradition, the CAS serves as patron-in-chief of the Air Force Golf Club, and a “golfing-out” is typically organised as a farewell for the outgoing chief. A banner for the October 28 event had already been prepared at the complex before the closure was announced.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, the current Vice Chief of the Air Staff, has been named as AP Singh’s successor. He will take charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on the afternoon of October 31 and will serve until December 31, 2028.

The shutdown is part of a wider effort by the Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to reclaim prime government land parcels around Lok Kalyan Marg. L&DO had issued eviction notices in 2017 covering five properties, including the Air Force Sports Complex, Jaipur Polo Ground and Old Willingdon Camp. No immediate action followed then, but the process has now been revived.

In August 2026, L&DO took possession of the Delhi Race Club’s 53-acre premises on Lok Kalyan Marg, citing an unspecified public purpose. The Jaipur Polo Ground was also reclaimed from the Indian Polo Association for public purposes, governance and defence infrastructure projects. Eviction proceedings have been initiated against the Delhi Gymkhana Club for its approximately 27-acre site as well, on grounds of defence infrastructure, public security and related projects. That matter remains pending before the court.

Sources familiar with the matter said MoHUA had conveyed to the Indian Air Force the requirement for the land allotted for the sports complex. Since the land is government property, no court order was required, one person aware of the details said, adding that the government had officially taken over the golf course. L&DO has completed a survey of the complex.

Established on September 1, 1947, the Air Force Sports Complex houses a nine-hole, par-35 parkland golf course, which is among the oldest in the capital. The facility also includes a driving range, short-game practice areas, swimming pool, restaurants and dining facilities, basketball and tennis courts, a gymnasium and other amenities. It functions as a recreational and fitness centre for serving officers, veterans and their families, and also has training facilities for Agniveers and airmen.

Reports place the sports complex on roughly 30 acres or as part of approximately 52.80 acres formally transferred from Ministry of Urban Development land to the Defence Ministry, within a larger Air Force Station holding of about 126.95 acres. Over the years, it has been managed under the oversight of senior IAF and defence officers and has been frequented by serving and retired personnel alike.

Wing Commander Jaideep Singh, the IAF spokesperson, confirmed the survey and said: “It houses training facilities for Agniveers and airmen, along with recreational and fitness amenities for officers, veterans and their families. Further action is under discussion.” Sources also said the IAF had sought reconsideration of the decision, arguing that the move could affect the morale of personnel who regularly train at and use the facilities.

The sudden closure has left hundreds of staff members, including caddies and contractual workers, uncertain about their future. It has also raised concern among veterans who see the complex as a long-standing sports and social hub within the Air Force Station ecosystem. The ultimate purpose for which the land has been reclaimed has not been publicly specified beyond broader references to public purpose, governance and defence infrastructure needs in related cases.