Veteran Indian shooter, five-time Olympian, and sports administrator Randhir Singh passed away on Wednesday, 27 May 2025, at the age of 79. One of the most consequential figures in Indian and Asian sports governance, Singh leaves behind a legacy spanning competitive shooting, Olympic administration, and continental sports diplomacy that few Indians have matched.

A Sporting Career Built Across Five Olympics

Born on 18 October 1946 in Patiala, Randhir Singh came from a distinguished sporting lineage — his uncle, Yadavindra Singh, represented India in Test cricket, while his father, Raja Bhalindra Singh, served as an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member from 1947 to 1992. After completing his education at Yadavindra Public School, Patiala and graduating in history from St. Stephen's College, Singh pursued golf, swimming, squash, and cricket before finding his calling in trap and skeet shooting.

He represented India at five consecutive Olympic Games — 1968 Mexico City, 1972 Munich, 1976 Montreal, 1980 Moscow, and 1984 Los Angeles — having also served as a reserve shooter at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. At the 1978 Asian Games, he became the first Indian shooter to win a continental gold medal, claiming the individual trap shooting title. He followed that with an individual bronze and a team silver at the 1982 Asian Games.

Honours and Awards

In 1979, Singh was conferred the Arjuna Award — India's second-highest sporting honour — alongside the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award for his athletic contributions. Later in his career, he received 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 the Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Government of India.

Decades at the Helm of Indian and Asian Sports Governance

Singh's administrative career was as decorated as his time on the range. He was appointed Honorary Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in 1987, a role he held until 2012. Simultaneously, he served on the governing board of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) from 1987 to 2010, and as Vice-Chairman of the Organising Committee of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.

At the continental level, he served as Secretary-General of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) from 1991 to 2015, then as Life Vice-President until 2021, before being elevated to Acting President. He was also the Founder Secretary General of the Afro-Asian Games Council from 1998 to 2007.

Global Reach: IOC, WADA, and ANOC

Singh was a full IOC member from 2001 to 2014, subsequently continuing as an honorary member. During his IOC tenure he served on multiple commissions, including Olympic Games Study (2002–2003), Sport for All (2004–2013), Women and Sport (2006–2013), and the Coordination Committee for the 1st Summer Youth Olympic Games, Singapore (2010). He joined the ANOC Executive Council in 2002, was elected as the IOC representative on the WADA Board between 2003 and 2005, and subsequently joined WADA's Finance and Administration Committee in 2005. He also chaired the 2019 Asian Games Coordination Committee.

Final Chapter: OCA Presidency and Health Decline

Singh made history as the first Indian elected OCA President, securing a four-year term through 2028. However, in January 2025, he stepped aside from the role due to health concerns; Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani was subsequently elected as the new president. His passing marks the end of an era for Indian sports administration — one that stretched from an individual gold at the 1978 Asian Games to the presidency of Asia's foremost Olympic body.