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Renowned sports administrator and India`s trailblazing Asian Games shooting gold medalist, Randhir Singh, passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, following a battle with age-related illnesses. He was 79 years old.
Singh had spent several days in the hospital before peacefully breathing his last at his private residence. He leaves behind his wife, Vinita, and three daughters: Mahima, Sunaina, and Rajeshwari, the latter of whom has proudly followed in her father`s footsteps as an elite competitive shooter.
Due to deteriorating health, Singh had recently stepped down from his role as the President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). He was initially voted into the top post for a four-year cycle in 2024, having previously dedicated decades to the organisation as its Secretary General between 1991 and 2015.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the departure of Raja Randhir Singh, who left for his heavenly abode today. An iconic Olympian, an Arjuna Award recipient, and an incredibly revered sports administrator across India, Asia, and the International Olympic Committee, Raja Randhir Singh provided monumental contributions to the advancement of shooting sports and the global Olympic movement. The NRAI and the broader shooting community deeply mourn this monumental loss, offering our sincere condolences to his family,” stated Rajiv Bhatia, Secretary of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI)
Randhir Singh had a stellar career
Singh`s magnificent athletic journey featured appearances at five separate Olympic Games alongside an iconic trap shooting gold medal at the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games, a victory that paved the way for him to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1979.
His extensive Olympic run spanned multiple decades, including Tokyo 1964 (as a reserve shooter), Mexico City 1968, Munich 1972, Montreal 1976, Moscow 1980, and Los Angeles 1984.
Transitioning from the field to the boardroom, Singh forged an equally brilliant administrative legacy. He commanded the role of Secretary General for the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) from 1987 to 2010 and acted as an influential member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in multiple distinct capacities between 2001 and 2014. Additionally, his administrative responsibilities expanded in 2003 when he served a two-year tenure as the IOC`s designated representative to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
His rich shooting pedigree remains alive through his daughter, Rajeshwari Kumari, an accomplished trap shooter who secured a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games and a gold medal at the 2016 Asian Championships.
(With PTI inputs)
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