Tributes Pour In for Legendary Shooter Raja Randhir Singh
A Legacy Remembered
Raja Randhir Singh, a former Indian shooter and prominent sports administrator, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 79. An Arjuna Award recipient, Singh's contributions to Indian and Asian sports, as well as sports administration, are significant. Coming from a well-known sporting lineage in Patiala, Punjab, he represented India in the Olympics five times. His most notable achievement came during the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, where he became the first Indian to win a gold medal in shooting at the continental level.
Trailblazer in Sports Governance
Pioneer In Sports Administration
After retiring from competitive shooting, Raja Randhir Singh emerged as a key figure in sports governance, taking on various prestigious roles worldwide. He served as the Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for 25 years, from 1987 until 2012. Singh played a crucial role in bringing the Commonwealth Games to India for the first time in 2010.
His influence was felt on a global scale as he was a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 2001 to 2014, later becoming an honorary member. In September 2024, during the 44th General Assembly in New Delhi, Singh made history by being elected as the first Indian president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). Although his term was set to last until 2028, it was cut short earlier this year due to health issues.
NRAI Honors His Memory
NRAI Pays Tributes
Rajiv Bhatia, the Secretary of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), issued a statement commemorating Singh's profound impact on the sport. “With deep sorrow, we share the sad news of the passing of Raja Randhir Singh, who left for his heavenly abode today, on 27th May 2026,” the NRAI statement expressed. “A distinguished Olympian, Arjuna Awardee, and one of the most respected sports administrators in India, Asia, and the International Olympic Committee, Raja Randhir Singh made invaluable contributions to the development of shooting sports and the Olympic movement. The National Rifle Association of India and the entire shooting fraternity mourn this irreparable loss and extend heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May his noble soul rest in eternal peace,” it concluded.