The Air Force Sports Complex (AFSC) on Lok Kalyan Marg, located inside Race Course Air Force Station (Air Force Station New Delhi) and a short distance from the Prime Minister’s official residence, was closed to members from 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, until further orders. The abrupt shutdown forced the cancellation of the traditional farewell “golfing-out” event scheduled that day for outgoing Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh (AP Singh), who superannuates on October 31.
Members received a message on Tuesday stating: “Greetings of the day! The Complex will remain closed on 28 Oct from 5.00am till further orders.” Maintenance, domestic, and contractual staff had been instructed not to report for duty from Monday; visitors, including contractual workers seeking entry to the canteen, were turned away. Air Force Station personnel confirmed the closure and noted that an earlier eviction notice from 2017 remained relevant, with discussions ongoing.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who assumed office as the 28th Chief of the Air Staff on September 30, 2024, and has logged more than 5,000 flying hours, retires on October 31. By tradition, the CAS serves as patron-in-chief of the Air Force Golf Club, and a “golfing-out” is customarily organised for the outgoing chief. A banner for the October 28 event had been prepared at the complex. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, currently Vice Chief of the Air Staff, has been appointed to succeed him as the 29th CAS and will assume charge on the afternoon of October 31, with a tenure until December 31, 2028.
The closure forms part of a broader effort by the Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to reclaim prime government land parcels near Lok Kalyan Marg. In 2017, L&DO had issued eviction notices covering five properties, including the Air Force Sports Complex, Jaipur Polo Ground, and Old Willingdon Camp. No further action followed at the time, but the process has 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 reclaimed from the Indian Polo Association for public purposes, governance, and defence infrastructure projects. Eviction proceedings have also been initiated against the Delhi Gymkhana Club for its approximately 27-acre site, citing the need for defence infrastructure, public security, and related projects; the matter remains pending in court.
Sources familiar with the developments stated that MoHUA had conveyed to the IAF the requirement for the land allotted for the sports complex. As the land was government property, no court order was required; 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, houses a nine-hole, par-35 parkland golf course (among the oldest in the capital), driving range, short-game practice areas, swimming pool, restaurants and dining facilities, basketball and tennis courts, gymnasium, and other amenities. It serves as a recreational and fitness facility for serving officers, veterans, and their families, and also contains 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 out of a larger Air Force Station holding of about 126.95 acres. It has historically been managed under the oversight of senior IAF and defence officers and is frequented by serving and retired personnel.
IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Jaideep Singh confirmed the survey and stated: “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 indicated that the IAF had requested reconsideration of the decision, citing the potential impact on the morale of personnel who train and use the facilities regularly.
The sudden closure has created uncertainty for hundreds of staff members, including caddies and contractual workers, and has raised concerns among veterans about the loss of a long-standing sports and social hub within the Air Force Station ecosystem. The purpose for which the reclaimed land is ultimately intended has not been publicly detailed beyond the broader references to public purpose, governance, and defence infrastructure needs in related cases.
