New Delhi: In a historic achievement for Indian sports, Randhir Singh has become the first Indian to be elected as the President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). His unanimous election was confirmed during the 44th General Assembly of the OCA, marking a significant milestone in Asian sports administration.
A five-time Olympic shooter, Singh was the sole candidate for the presidency, securing a clear path to leadership. His term will extend from 2024 to 2028. Singh has already been serving as the acting president of the OCA since 2021, following the suspension of Kuwait’s Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who was handed a 15-year ban from sports administration earlier this year due to ethics violations.
Singh’s elevation to the prestigious position was witnessed by India’s Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and prominent sports officials from all 45 Asian nations, reflecting broad support across the continent.
Randhir Singh hails from Patiala, Punjab, and belongs to a family with deep roots in sports. His uncle, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, was a Test cricketer and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, while his father, Bhalindra Singh, also a first-class cricketer, served as an IOC member from 1947 to 1992. Randhir Singh himself was an IOC member from 2001 to 2014 and continues to serve as an honorary member, maintaining his longstanding connection with global sports governance.