Air Force Sports Complex Closure Cancels Farewell Golfing-Out for IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh

The Air Force Sports Complex (AFSC) at Lok Kalyan Marg, inside Race Course Air Force Station (Air Force Station New Delhi) and close to the Prime Minister’s official residence, was shut to members from 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, until further orders. The abrupt move also led to the cancellation of the customary farewell “golfing-out” planned that day for outgoing Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh (AP Singh), who superannuates on October 31.

Closure notice and immediate impact

Members were informed on Tuesday through a message that read: “Greetings of the day! The Complex will remain closed on 28 Oct from 5.00am till further orders.” According to the report, maintenance, domestic and contractual staff had already been told not to report for duty from Monday, while visitors, including contractual workers trying to enter the canteen, were turned away. Air Force Station personnel confirmed the closure and said an eviction notice issued in 2017 remained relevant, with talks still under way.

By tradition, the Chief of the Air Staff serves as patron-in-chief of the Air Force Golf Club, and a “golfing-out” is normally held for the outgoing chief. A banner for the October 28 event had been prepared at the complex before the shutdown. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh assumed office as the 28th Chief of the Air Staff on September 30, 2024, has more than 5,000 flying hours, and retires on October 31.

Succession in the Air Force

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, presently the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, has been appointed to succeed him as the 29th CAS. He is scheduled to take charge on the afternoon of October 31, with a tenure until December 31, 2028.

Land-related action by L&DO

The closure is part of a wider move by the Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to recover prime government land parcels near Lok Kalyan Marg. In 2017, L&DO had issued eviction notices for five properties, including the Air Force Sports Complex, Jaipur Polo Ground and Old Willingdon Camp. No further 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 started against the Delhi Gymkhana Club for its roughly 27-acre site, with the matter still pending in court.

What sources said about the takeover

People familiar with the developments said MoHUA had informed the IAF of the need for the land allotted for the sports complex. Since the land is government property, no court order was required, and one person aware of the details said the government had officially taken over the golf course. L&DO has completed a survey of the complex.

The complex, established on September 1, 1947, includes a nine-hole, par-35 parkland golf course, driving range, short-game practice areas, swimming pool, restaurants and dining facilities, basketball and tennis courts, gymnasium and other amenities. It also provides training facilities for Agniveers and airmen. Reports place the sports complex on about 30 acres, or as part of approximately 52.80 acres formally transferred from Ministry of Urban Development land to the Defence Ministry out of a larger Air Force Station holding of about 126.95 acres.

IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Jaideep Singh 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 said the IAF had requested reconsideration of the decision, pointing to the possible effect on morale among personnel who regularly train and use the facilities.

The sudden closure has created uncertainty for hundreds of staff members, including caddies and contractual workers, and has raised concern among veterans about the possible loss of a long-standing sports and social hub inside the Air Force Station ecosystem. The exact end-use of the reclaimed land has not been publicly stated beyond the broader references to public purpose, governance and defence infrastructure needs in related cases.