Randhir Singh elected as the first Indian president of Olympic Council of Asia – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Veteran sports administrator Randhir Singh became the first Indian to be elected as the president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Sunday. This election took place during the 44th General Assembly of the OCA, and Singh will serve from 2024 to 2028. The 77-year-old former Olympic shooter was the only eligible candidate and won the position unanimously.
Randhir has been acting president of the OCA since 2021, stepping in for Kuwait’s Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who was banned for 15 years from sports administration due to ethics breaches.His official appointment as president was attended by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and major sports leaders from all 45 countries of Asia.
Randhir has been a significant figure in sports administration. He was a member of the International Olympic Committee from 2001 to 2014 and has since continued as an honorary member of the global sports body.
Randhir hails from a family with a rich history in sports; born in Patiala, Punjab, he is related to notable sports personalities. His uncle, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, played Test cricket for India and was an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member. His father, Bhalindra Singh, played first-class cricket and was an IOC Member from 1947 to 1992.