Kuwait City, Kuwait, September 16, 2024: The Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, Mr. Husain Al Musallam, believes the new OCA President Raja Randhir Singh will have a positive impact on the Olympic sports movement in Asia.
Captain Husain bases his statement on the fact that Raja Randhir has vast experience as an international athlete and understands fully the needs of the athletes.
Speaking in a special interview with the OCA social media channels, Capt. Husain was asked what he thought Raja Randhir would bring to the role following his election as OCA President at the 44th OCA General Assembly in New Delhi, India on September 8, 2024.
“If you go to the background of Mr. Raja Randhir Singh as an athlete, I think he will bring a very good, positive impact, especially for the athletes,” Capt. Husain said.
“He was an Olympian, he was Asian champion and Indian champion in shooting, so he understands exactly the needs of the athletes.”
Raja Randhir, 77, represented India in shooting at five consecutive Olympic Games from 1968 to 1984 and was reserve shooter for Tokyo 1964. He also won a gold, silver and bronze medal in four Asian Games appearances, with his victory in men’s trap individual at Bangkok 1978 the highlight.
Capt. Husain said this experience as an athlete was a distinct advantage over other sports leaders who liked sport and who supported sport but had never practised sport at that high level.
The OCA Director General also paid tribute to the Indian Olympic Association and the sports movement in India for their pioneering role in establishing the Asian Games Federation in New Delhi in 1949 and hosting the first Asian Games in 1951. The AGF became the OCA in 1981.
“India’s contribution is not starting now,” he said. “It started after the second world war, and before that, as India’s sports leaders tried their best to unite Asia and bring Asia back together for the Asian Games in 1951. Not only did the idea come from India but India hosted the first Asian Games.”
Looking ahead with Raja Randhir as new OCA President, Capt. Husain said his expectations were for Asia to be one voice and for Asia to be solid and united.
“The services to our National Olympic Committees and our athletes are getting better, and the operations are getting much better,” he concluded.