Sachin Tendulkar honoured by Indian Air Force
NEW DELHI: India’s batting great Sachin Tendulkar was on Friday awarded the honorary rank of group captain by the chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for his contribution to cricket.
Tendulkar, 37, was conferred the honour by Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Naik, amid loud applause from fellow officers at a ceremony in the Indian capital.
“It was wishful thinking (that I would be part of the armed forces) and it has come true today. I’m extremely proud to be a part of the IAF. So dream, because dreams do come true,” Tendulkar said after being inducted.
Naik said he hoped Tendulkar’s induction would inspire India’s youth to join its armed forces.
“Sachin’s association will help in spreading awareness about our force,” he said.
Tendulkar is the first sportsperson to be conferred a rank by the IAF and the first personality without an aviation background to receive the honour.