Randhir Singh was a rarity in Indian sport, an Olympian who transformed sports administration

New Delhi: Over the past decade, Randhir Singh could be seen once in a while treating his young granddaughter to an ice-cream at a south Delhi Nirula’s outlet after picking her up from school. It seemed like delivering on a promise for the well-known face of Indian sports administration, who had decidedly slowed down to spend more time with family.

Singh’s death, at the age of 79 due to illness on Wednesday, marks the end of a significant chapter in Indian sport.

In a time, when the push is to have accomplished sportspersons in India’s much-maligned sports administration, and while the move is producing mixed or debatable results, Randhir Singh was the original, and an aberration.

While many sportspersons struggle to transition into governance, Singh successfully bridged both worlds with credibility and respect. He belonged to that rare group in Indian sport — individuals who achieved distinction both as elite athletes and as top-level administrators.

A pioneering shooter, Olympian and one of the country’s most respected sports administrators, Singh dedicated nearly six decades of his life to Indian and Asian sport. He combined excellence as an athlete with measured and effective leadership as an administrator, earning admiration across generations of sportsmen and officials.

He was a calm and experienced administrator who consistently advocated stronger sporting structures, better athlete support systems and greater engagement between Indian and Asian sporting institutions.

But before all that, Randhir was one of India’s finest shooters at a time when the sport received little national attention. Long before India became a recognised force in global shooting, Singh’s success helped inspire interest in the sport and encouraged future generations of Indian shooters. He represented India at five Olympic Games and became known for his discipline, composure and commitment to excellence.

His defining achievement came at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, where he won the gold medal in trap shooting, becoming India’s first Asian Games gold medallist in shooting.

His achievements earned him the Arjuna Award and established him as one of the pioneers of Indian shooting.

After retiring from competition, Singh moved into sports administration and went on to become one of the most influential figures in the Olympic movement in Asia. As secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for more than two decades, he played a major role in shaping sports governance in the country and strengthening India’s presence in international sporting forums.

He also served in important positions within the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia, where he earned respect for his diplomatic skills and ability to build consensus among sporting bodies. His election as President of the Olympic Council of Asia in 2024 reflected the high regard in which he was held internationally, though health concerns later limited his active involvement.

Like several senior officials associated with Indian sport during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, Singh’s tenure also coincided with a period marked by allegations of irregularities and organisational lapses. However, no wrongdoing was ever linked to him and he continued to enjoy the trust and respect of the sporting fraternity throughout his long administrative career.

Tributes poured in following his death. “We have lost an exceptional leader and his irreplaceable wisdom,” IOA president PT Usha said.

Abhinav Bindra described him as a figure whose contribution went far beyond medals and official positions. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Randhir Singh ji. He was a towering figure in Indian sport, but beyond the positions he held, he carried himself with warmth, dignity, and a genuine love for the Olympic movement,” Bindra told TOI.

“He gave a lifetime to sport and to the athletes, administrators and institutions that serve it. For many of us, he was not just an elder in Indian sport, but a source of encouragement, guidance and grace. His presence had a rare gentleness, and his contribution will be remembered with great respect,” added the 2008 Olympic gold medallist.

Shooter Gagan Narang too paid his tribute. “When I stood on that podium in London in 2012, he was part of why that moment was possible,” Narang, the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, wrote.

“I will always remain grateful for the guidance, values and belief he gave athletes like us through generations. India has lost a towering figure today, and I have lost someone I deeply admired,” he told TOI. (With inputs from Tushar Dutt)

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