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IAF Cup & Eastern Air Command Cup Races Held in Kolkata with Air Chief as Guest

The prestigious Indian Air Force Cup and Eastern Air Command Cup horse races were held at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club in Kolkata. Air Chief Marshal A P Singh attended as Chief Guest and presented the IAF Cup, while Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia presented the EAC Cup. The event was attended by senior officers from various armed forces, highlighting inter-service unity. The IAF Band performed, and the races are a long-standing tribute to the Air Force's heritage.

Key Points: IAF Cup & Eastern Air Command Cup Races Held in Kolkata

  • Annual races commemorate IAF-RCTC association
  • Air Chief Marshal A P Singh presented IAF Cup
  • Senior officers from Army, Navy, Coast Guard attended
  • IAF Band provided musical performances
2 min read

IAF Cup and Eastern Air Command Cup races held in Kolkata in Air Chief's presence

Air Chief Marshal A P Singh attended the IAF and Eastern Air Command Cup horse races at Kolkata's Royal Calcutta Turf Club, honoring military-civil ties.

"The IAF remains committed to promoting excellence and partnerships across diverse domains. - Official"

Kolkata, Feb 25

The prestigious Indian Air Force Cup and Eastern Air Command Cup races were conducted at the historic Royal Calcutta Turf Club on Wednesday.

These annual fixtures, instituted in 1996, commemorate the strong association between the IAF and the RCTC.

Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), attended the occasion as Chief Guest and presented the coveted IAF Cup to the winner. Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command, presented the EAC Cup.

The event saw enthusiastic participation and was attended by senior officers from the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, further underscoring the unity among India's armed forces.

The Indian Air Force Band added splendour to the occasion and captivated the audience with its harmonious renditions, embodying the spirit and pride of the Air Force.

"The RCTC was founded in 1847 and bestowed the title "Royal" in 1912. It remains one of the most prestigious horse racing organisations in the country. It continues to host the IAF and EAC Cup races as a tribute to the rich heritage and contributions of the IAF," an official said.

Air Chief Marshal Singh lauded the event as a significant milestone in fostering camaraderie and strengthening the bond between the Armed Forces and the community as a whole.

"The IAF remains committed to promoting excellence and partnerships across diverse domains, and events like these exemplify its enduring legacy of professionalism, pride, and unity," the official added.

"A Felicitation Ceremony was organised at @EAC_IAF to honour sportspersons of EAC AoR for winning the Sardar Baldev Singh Challenge Cup for the AF Sports Championship 2025-26. Air Mshl Surat Singh AOC-in-C #EAC graced the occasion & felicitated the medal winners," the Eastern Air Command had said earlier in January in a post on X.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
A perfect blend of sport, heritage, and military pride. The RCTC is such a historic venue. Glad the Air Chief was present. These events really do strengthen the bond with the community. Well done, IAF!
R
Rahul R
While I appreciate the tradition and the show of unity, one has to wonder about the optics. In a country with so many pressing issues, is a lavish event at a 'Royal' turf club the best use of resources and senior officers' time? Just a thought.
A
Anjali F
The felicitation of sportspersons mentioned at the end is the real heart of the story for me. Celebrating athletic excellence within the forces is so important. Congrats to all the winners! 🏆
K
Karthik V
Kolkata representing! Great to see our city host such prestigious events. The history of RCTC and its connection with the IAF since 1996 is fascinating. More power to our armed forces.
M
Michael C
Interesting read. The unity shown between Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force at social events like this is a strong message. Professionalism and pride indeed.

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