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Sports
The international sporting community is mourning the loss of one of its most respected administrators and athletes. Raja Randhir Singh, India’s first-ever Asian Games gold medalist in shooting and the former President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the age of 79. According to official statements from the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), Singh breathed his last at his residence in New Delhi following a prolonged hospitalisation due to age-related health issues. Singh comes from an illustrious sporting lineage as a descendant of the royal family of Patiala, and his passing marks the end of an era for global and regional sports governance.
Before establishing himself as a titan in sports diplomacy, Singh was an elite athlete who dominated the clay pigeon shooting circuit. He represented India at five consecutive Olympic Games between 1968 and 1984, showcasing remarkable longevity in the men’s trap event. His crowning competitive achievement came at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, where he captured a historic gold medal. He followed this success with a silver and a bronze at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi. In recognition of his pioneering efforts on the field, the Government of India honored him with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1979.
Transitioning from active sports to administration, Singh utilized his athlete-first perspective to reshape sports governing bodies. He served seamlessly as the Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) from 1987 to 2012, providing vital stability to domestic sports federations. On the global stage, his diplomatic acumen led to a long-standing membership in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 2001 to 2014, after which he was named an honorary member. Singh was also widely credited as a core driving force behind successfully bringing and organizing the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, a landmark event that upgraded India's multi-sport infrastructure.
Singh's administrative career reached its pinnacle when he was formally elected as the President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) for a four-year term. Though his tenure was cut short earlier this year due to his declining health, his leadership cemented a consensus-driven approach during a period of major geopolitical and commercial expansion for Asian sports. Tributes have poured in from sports bodies worldwide, with colleagues remembering him as a fierce advocate for athlete welfare and a diplomat who could navigate fractured administrative landscapes. He is survived by his wife, Vinita, and three daughters, including national-level shooter Rajeshwari? Singh, ensuring his sporting legacy continues into the next generation.
