New Delhi, India, September 7, 2024: The Indian capital New Delhi is set to play another major role in the transformation of the Olympic sports movement in Asia.
On Sunday, September 8, the Olympic Council of Asia will hold its 44th General Assembly at the Bharat Mandapam convention centre. As the sole candidate for the election of President, Acting OCA President Raja Randhir Singh of India will be elected only the third OCA President in history.
It is a history with roots that go back to New Delhi in 1934, when the West Asian Games HQ was established in the Indian capital.
When the West Asian Games was merged into the Asian Games Federation in 1949, the HQ was established in New Delhi. The first Asian Games was held in New Delhi in 1951 and the Indian capital hosted the Asian Games for a second time in 1982.
In 1981, the sports leaders in Asia decided to change the name of the Asian Games Federation to the Olympic Council of Asia, and, in 1982, the OCA HQ was moved from India to Kuwait.
On Sunday, the OCA will elect its first president from India in five-time Olympic Games trap shooter Randhir Singh, a former Secretary General of the OCA and Hon. Life Vice President. He has been Acting President since 2021.
“The future of Asian sports is bright, and together we will pave the way for a new era of achievement and unity,” Raja Randhir said on an OCA social media post.
“Our journey begins now, with a shared vision and unwavering dedication.”
The General Assembly will also include a final report by the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee and a progress report by the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya organising committee (AINAGOC).
There will be elections for OCA President, five Vice Presidents from the five zones of East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia, and for the five OCA Executive Board members from the five zones.