Former international shooter and veteran sports administrator Randhir Singh is set to become the first Indian President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
Randhir Singh has emerged as the sole candidate for the top post of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in the elections scheduled for September 8.
The OCA has confirmed Singh’s candidacy, stating that he is the sole eligible candidate for the election. This comes after The Mongolian Olympic Committee President, Battushig Batbold, was deemed ineligible and withdrew his candidature.
Singh is the son of Bhalindra Singh, a long-time IOC member and IOA president, and the grandson of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala.
Randhir Singh in sports administration
The 77-year-old Singh, has a distinguished history in sports administration, having served as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
Election Committee’s Review
The Election Committee, chaired by former Supreme Court judge Rohinton Nariman, reviewed Singh’s credentials and eligibility requirements as per the OCA Constitution, Election Rules, and Guidelines, and gave him unanimous approval.
Previous Experience
Singh previously served as the OCA Secretary-General from 1991 to 2015 under Sheikh Ahmed’s leadership, after which Singh has been serving as the acting chief of the OCA since September 2021, after Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Sabah stepped down.
Leadership Skills
Singh successfully managed the postponement of the Hangzhou Asian Games from 2022 to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing his effective leadership.