Seasoned sports administrator and multiple Asian Games medallist Randhir Singh passes away

The 79-year-old's stellar sporting career included five Olympic appearances and the historic trap gold in the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games that earned him Arjuna Award.

India's first shooting gold-medallist in Asian Games -- Randhir Singh --, who was a veteran sports administrator passed on Wednesday after battling age-related ailments.

The 79-year-old had undergone hospitalisation for several days before breathing his last at his residence in New Delhi .

Singh is survived by his wife Vinita and three daughters -- Mahima, Sunaina and Rajeshwari, who is also a shooter.

Singh recently quit his position as the President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) due to health issues. He was elected for a four-year term in 2024, having already served the body as Secretary General from 1991 to 2015.

"The Olympic Council of Asia is deeply saddened by the passing of Raja Randhir Singh, Honorary Life President of the OCA, Honorary Member of the International Olympic Committee, and former President of the Olympic Council of Asia," OCA condoled his death with a post on social media.

Singh's stellar sporting career included five Olympic appearances and the historic trap gold in the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games that earned him the Arjuna Award in 1979.

During the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi, Singh was part of the Indian team that won a silver medal in the team event and he also clinched a bronze in the individual category.

His shooting legacy has been kept alive by his daughter Rajeshwari, who is also a trap shooter and won a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games besides a gold at the 2016 Asian Championships.

In his equally successful administrative career, he served as the Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) from 1987 to 2010 and was also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in different capacities from 2001 to 2014.

In 2003, his role expanded to becoming IOC's representative in the World Anti-Doping Agency for two years.

A descendent of the former Maharaja of Patiala and cricket player, Bhupinder Singh, Randhir Singh was one of the most recognisable sports administrators in India and was admired for his ability to drive consensus.

(With inputs from PTI)