President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday conferred the honorary rank of Group Captain of the Indian Air Force (equivalent to the rank of Colonel in the Army) on eminent cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.
This newspaper had first reported the IAF’s proposal to grant an honorary rank to the batting maestro. This was done “in recognition of Sachin’s glorious achievements as a cricketer and sports icon par excellence”. The IAF also said that this would “motivate the younger generation to join the Air Force to serve the country”.
Accepting the honour, Tendulkar, who is presently out of the country, said, “It is indeed a great honour that I have been considered for the honorary rank of Group Captain. As an Indian, I am very proud to be associated with this dynamic force and I shall do my very best to be a brand ambassador for the IAF.
Defence sources said the honorary rank would be bestowed at a formal ceremony and Tendulkar will don the IAF uniform.