New Delhi
Veteran sports administrator Randhir Singh became the first Indian to be elected President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). He was given this important responsibility during the 44th General Assembly of the continental body here on Sunday.
Five-time Olympic shooter Randhir was the only eligible candidate for the post of OCA president. His term will be from 2024 to 2028. He was selected unanimously. The 77-year-old efficient administrator was the acting president of the OCA since 2021. He replaced Kuwait’s Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who was banned for 15 years from sports administration in May this year due to ethics violations.
Randhir, who has held various administrative positions in Indian and Asian sports bodies, was officially elected OCA President in the presence of Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and top sports administrators from all 45 countries of Asia. Randhir hails from Patiala in Punjab and his family has been associated with sports since the beginning.
His uncle Maharaja Yadavindra Singh played Test cricket for India and was a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). His father Bhalinder Singh was also a first-class cricketer. He was an IOC member between 1947 and 1992. Randhir was also an IOC member from 2001 to 2014. After this, he remained associated with the IOC as an honorary member.
