Randhir Singh Set to Make History as Olympic Council of Asia's First Indian President

On September 8, the 44th Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly will appoint Randhir Singh as its first Indian President. The event, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, will see top Asian sports leaders in attendance. Singh's decades-long career in sports and administration led to his unanimous election.

The all-important 44th Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly is set to unfold at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, on Sunday, September 8. On this landmark occasion, former Indian shooter Randhir Singh will be officially appointed the first Indian President of the Olympic Council of Asia, amidst a gathering of prominent dignitaries including the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, and leading sports figures from all 45 Asian countries.

Randhir Singh's unanimous election by OCA representatives was cemented earlier this year when he emerged as the sole candidate for the prestigious role. The 77-year-old sports icon, who originates from a renowned sporting family in Patiala, Punjab, boasts a rich legacy. Singh’s family has a strong sporting lineage, with his uncle, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, having played Test cricket for India and served as an IOC member, and his father, Bhalindra Singh, also holding a significant position in Indian cricket and the IOC.

An accomplished athlete, Singh competed in four editions of the Asian Games between 1978 and 1994, achieving notable accolades such as an Individual Gold Medal in Trap Shooting in 1978. His administrative career in sports began in 1987 when he became the Honourary Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association, serving until 2012. He also held significant roles with the Sports Authority of India and the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, enhancing his influence in sports governance. His contributions to the IOC and various other international sporting bodies have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the OCA Award of Merit and the Olympic Order, Silver.