New Delhi: Over the past decade, Randhir Singh He could once be seen treating his young granddaughter to ice cream at an outlet in south Delhi’s Narula after picking her up from school. It seemed like a promise to be fulfilled for the well-known face of Indian sports administration, who had slowed down to spend more time with family.Singh’s death, due to illness on Wednesday at the age of 79, marks the end of an important chapter in the Indian game.At a time, when India’s much-maligned sports administration is pushing to cater to players, and when the move is producing mixed or debatable results, Randhir Singh was an original, and an anomaly.While many players struggle with the change in governance, Singh has successfully bridged both worlds with credibility and respect. He belonged to that rare group of Indian sports – individuals who achieved distinction as elite athletes and high-level administrators.A leading shooter, Olympian and one of the country’s most respected sports administrators, Singh dedicated almost six decades of his life to Indian and Asian sports. He combined excellence with measured and effective leadership as a player as an administrator, earning the admiration of players and officials across generations.He was a calm and experienced administrator who consistently advocated for stronger sports structures, better athlete support systems and greater engagement between Indian and Asian sports bodies.But before all that, Randhir was one of India’s best shooters at a time when the sport received little attention at the national level. Long before India became a recognized force in world shooting, Singh’s success helped generate interest in the sport and inspired future generations of Indian shooters. He represented India in five Olympic Games and became known for his discipline, grit and commitment to excellence.His breakthrough came at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, where he won a gold medal in trap shooting, becoming India’s first Asian Games gold medalist in shooting.His achievements earned him. Arjuna Award and established him as one of the pioneers of Indian shooting.After retiring from competition, Singh moved into sports administration and became one of the most influential figures in the Olympic movement in Asia. As the Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for more than two decades, he was instrumental in shaping sports governance in the country and strengthening India’s presence in international sports forums.He also held key positions in the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia, where he was respected for his diplomatic skills and ability to build consensus among sports bodies. His election as president of the Olympic Council of Asia in 2024 reflected the high regard in which he was held internationally, although health concerns later limited his active involvement.Like many senior Indian sports officials during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, Singh’s tenure coincided with a period dogged by allegations of irregularities and organizational shortcomings. However, he was never associated with any wrongdoing and enjoyed the trust and respect of the sporting community throughout his long managerial career.Tributes were paid after his death. IOA President PT Osha said that we have lost an extraordinary leader and his irreplaceable wisdom.Abhino Bandra described him as a figure whose contributions went far beyond medals and official positions. “I am deeply saddened by the demise of Randhir Singhji. He was a towering figure in Indian sports, but beyond the positions he held, he carried himself with warmth, dignity and genuine love for the Olympic movement,” Bandra told TOI.The 2008 Olympic gold medalist added, “He gave life to the sport and the players, administrators and institutions that served it. For many of us, he was not just a saint in Indian sports, but a source of inspiration, guidance and grace.”Shooter Gagan Narang also paid tribute to him. “When I stood on that podium in London in 2012, he was part of why that moment was possible,” wrote Narang, a 2012 Olympic bronze medalist.“I will always be grateful for the guidance, values ​​and belief that he instilled in athletes like us for generations. India has lost a great personality today, and I have lost a person I admired deeply,” he told TOI. (with Tishar Dutt’s input)
