Raja Randhir Singh, a five-time Olympian, Asian Games gold medallist, and veteran sports administrator, died on Wednesday morning in New Delhi at the age of 79. Born on 18 October 1946, Singh was the first Indian shooter to win gold at the Asian Games when he claimed the men’s Trap title at the 1978 Bangkok Asiad, according to a National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) press release. He also secured a bronze medal in the individual event and a silver medal in the team event at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, according to Olympics.com. Singh served as India’s sole representative at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 2001 to 2014 and continued as an honorary member thereafter.
He played a significant role in bringing prominent international sporting events to India, including the 2003 Afro-Asian Games and the 2010 Commonwealth Games. NRAI President Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo described Singh’s death as an irreplaceable loss for Indian shooting and the wider Olympic movement. He said, “It is an irreplaceable loss, not only for the sport of Shooting, but for the entire Olympic sporting fraternity in India, of which Raja Randhir Singh ji was the biggest promoter and supporter. His record as an international Shooter representing India speaks for itself.
As a Sports Administrator, Raja Randhir Singh ji was a visionary and worked tirelessly for the development and growth of the Indian and Asian Olympic movements. The exposure, training and facilities that the Indian athletes are getting today owe a lot to Raja Randhir Singh’s contributions over the past four decades. On behalf of the entire NRAI family, I extend my deepest condolences to his grieving family.”