Veteran shooter and sports administrator Randhir Singh has made history by being elected unopposed as the first Indian president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The announcement came during the 44th General Assembly of the OCA, held on Sunday.
Singh, who achieved fame as the first Indian shooter to win a gold medal at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, was the sole candidate for the presidency. His election took place in the presence of distinguished guests, including Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya and leading sports figures from across Asia.
The 77-year-old Singh, hailing from Patiala, Punjab, comes from a family with a rich sporting heritage. His uncle, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, played Test cricket for India and served as an IOC member, while his father, Bhalindra Singh, was also a first-class cricketer and an IOC member from 1947 to 1992.
Singh’s Illustrious Career
Singh’s illustrious career spans over two decades, during which he competed in five editions of the Olympics from 1968 to 1984, becoming only the second Indian to achieve this feat. He also participated in four editions of the Asian Games between 1978 and 1994, securing an individual gold medal in trap shooting in 1978, an individual bronze in 1982, and a team silver in 1986. Singh also represented India at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada.
His contributions to sports earned him numerous accolades, including the Arjuna Award in 1979 and the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award. Singh’s transition into sports administration began during his athletic career, serving as the secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association from 1987 to 2012. He also served as a member of the governing board of the Sports Authority of India and vice-chairman of the organizing committee for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.
Afro-Asian Games Council
Singh held the position of secretary-general of the OCA from 1991 to 2015, followed by a role as life vice president until 2021. He also served as the acting president of the OCA before his election as president. Additionally, Singh was the founder secretary general of the Afro-Asian Games Council from 1998 to 2007.
His involvement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) includes membership from 2001 to 2014, and he participated in various IOC commissions. Singh also served as the IOC representative on the WADA Board from 2003 to 2005 and was a member of WADA’s Finance and Administration Committee.
Singh has received numerous honors for his services, including the OCA Award of Merit in 2005, the ANOC Merit Award in 2006, the Olympic Order Silver in 2014, and an Honorary Doctorate in Literature in Sports Science from Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education.
