Kuwait City, Kuwait, May 27, 2026: The Olympic Council of Asia is deeply saddened to report that the former OCA President and OCA Honorary Life President, Raja Randhir Singh, passed away on Wednesday, May 27. He was 79.
Raja Randhir was a five-time Olympian in shooting (trap) and went on to play a leading role in sports administration, not just in India and Asia but in the global Olympic movement.
The current OCA President, His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, said: “This is a very sad day for the Olympic movement in India, Asia and the world.
“His Excellency Mr. Raja Randhir Singh was a dear friend. I wish to express my sincere appreciation for his leadership, vision and tireless efforts during challenging times. His wisdom and dedication contributed significantly to strengthening unity across Asia.
“Raja Randhir was a great athlete, a great sportsman, a great sports administrator and leader but, above all, he was a great man. He will always be remembered for the role he played in building up the Olympic movement in India, Asia and the world.”
Raja Randhir represented India at five Olympic Games – Mexico 1968, Munich 1972, Montreal 1976, Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984 – and he was a reserve shooter at Tokyo 1964.
He also represented India at the Asian Games in Bangkok (1978), New Delhi (1982), Seoul (1986) and Hiroshima (1994), besides competing at the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton in 1978.
Among his major achievements, Randhir Singh won a gold medal at the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games and secured bronze (individual) and silver (team) medals at the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games.
Raja Randhir belonged to the fourth generation of a distinguished sporting family from Punjab’s Patiala. He was a former Arjuna Awardee.
His uncle, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, represented India in Test cricket, while his father, Raja Bhalindra Singh, served as a member of the Indian Olympic Committee from 1947 to 1992.
Over the decades, he held several key positions in Indian and international sports administration. He served as Honorary Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (1987-2014), Secretary General of the Olympic Council of Asia (1991-2015), and was a member of the International Olympic Committee from 2001 to 2014 before becoming an honorary member.
The Tribune reported: “With deep sorrow, we share the sad news of the passing of Raja Randhir Singh, who left for his heavenly abode today.
“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,” read a message shared across the Indian shooting fraternity.