New Delhi - Senior Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar was today conferred with the Indian Air Force's honorary rank of Group Captain to honour his cricketing achievements and contribution to the nation.

Tendulkar is the first sportsperson to be conferred a rank by IAF and the first personality with no aviation background to receive the honour.

In 2008, India's World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev had received the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the Territorial Army.

The 37-year-old Tendulkar was inducted into the Air Force as its brand ambassador with IAF chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik doing the honours in a glittering ceremony at the Air Force auditorium here.

"It's a great pleasure and honour to be honoured by IAF.

It was a wishful thinking and it has come true today. I'm extremely proud to be a part of IAF.