Randhir Singh to Become First Indian President of Olympic Council of Asia
The 44th Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly will be held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on September 8. On this occasion, former Indian shooter Randhir Singh will be officially named as the first Indian President of the Olympic Council of Asia.
About Randhir Singh
Randhir Singh, a 77-year-old sports legend from Patiala, Punjab, comes from a family of sportspersons. His uncle, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, played Test cricket for India, and his father, Bhalindra Singh, was a first-class cricketer and an IOC Member.
Sporting Achievements
Randhir Singh competed in four editions of the Asian Games between 1978 and 1994, winning an Individual Gold Medal in Trap Shooting in 1978, an Individual Bronze Medal in 1982, and a Team Silver in 1986. He also competed in the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada. In 1979, he was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award and the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award.
Administrative Roles
Randhir Singh’s journey in sports administration began in 1987 when he was appointed as the Honourary Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association, a position he held until 2012. He also served on the governing board of the Sports Authority of India and was the Vice-Chairman of the organizing committee for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.
He was the Secretary General of the OCA from 1991 to 2015 and later became the Life Vice President until 2021. He also held roles in the ANOC Executive Council, WADA Board, and various IOC commissions.
Awards and Honors
For his invaluable services, Randhir Singh has received numerous awards, including the OCA Award of Merit in 2005, Merit Award from ANOC in 2006, Olympic Order, Silver in 2014, and an Honorary Doctorate in Literature in Sports Science from the Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education.
Doubts Revealed
Olympic Council of Asia -: The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is an organization that oversees all the sports events in Asia, like the Asian Games. It helps in promoting sports and organizing competitions for athletes from different Asian countries.
General Assembly -: A General Assembly is a big meeting where important people from an organization come together to discuss and make decisions. In this case, it’s a meeting of the Olympic Council of Asia.
Bharat Mandapam -: Bharat Mandapam is a large convention center located in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. It’s a place where big events and meetings are held.
Pragati Maidan -: Pragati Maidan is a large exhibition center in New Delhi, India. It hosts various events, fairs, and exhibitions throughout the year.
Randhir Singh -: Randhir Singh is a famous Indian sports person who used to be a shooter. He has won many medals in the Asian Games and has also worked in important sports organizations.
Indian Olympic Association -: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is the organization that manages India’s participation in the Olympic Games and other international sports events.
International Olympic Committee -: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is a global organization that organizes the Olympic Games and promotes the Olympic movement around the world.