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IAF salutes Gp Capt Sachin
A dream come true, says master blaster; wishes to fly in Sukhoi-30
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 3
Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was today conferred with the Indian Air Force's honorary rank of Group Captain — equal to a Colonel of the Indian Army. Another cricketing legend Kapil Dev was conferred the rank of Lt Colonel by the Territorial Army in 2008.

According to rules, both cricketing legends can be “promoted” so their fans can wait and watch. Tendulkar is the first sportsperson to be conferred a rank by the IAF and the first personality with no aviation background to receive the honour. It remains to be seen if the cricket score displays will display the rank when the master batsman plays his next game of cricket.

This afternoon, the Mumbaikar arrived at a jam-packed IAF auditorium at Subroto Park wearing a black striped coat and was introduced to Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh. Later the IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal P V Naik, did the honours of piping the epaulettes on the shoulders of the great batsman, who was visibly proud, and even nervous.

Tendulkar saluted the IAF chief in the true tradition of a soldier. The Chief returned the salute with a smile on his lips and shook hands with the new “officer” of the IAF.

Before getting the rank, Tendulkar had gone through a process of familiarisation with the IAF and training in basic military practices and drills. On his part, Kapil has already undergone weapon training with the Army.

Minutes after being conferred the rank, Tendulkar said the honour conferred on him by the Indian Air Force was his greatest achievement and he was indeed happy to be a part of the IAF family. He went on to jokingly say the least he could do to look like an Air Force officer was to wear the signature aviator glasses worn by pilots.

The ace batsman expressed a desire to fly in a Sukhoi-30 — which is India’s frontline fighter and is considered the very best in the category of combat planes. The IAF chief promised a sortie and added that it depended on the master blaster to make himself available for the purpose.

Tendulkar went on to add: “…it was wishful thinking, a dream to be in the IAF… and it has come true today…. I want to urge the youth to join the Air Force and serve the nation.”

The Air chief said the batting legend's association with the IAF would help make the youth more aware about the Air Force. So far, 21 eminent personalities have been granted honorary ranks by the IAF.