Randhir Singh: First Indian to become president of the OCA

Randhir Singh's Election as OCA President

• Elected on September 8, 2024, at the 44th OCA General Assembly in New Delhi
• First Indian to become president of the Olympic Council of Asia
• Ran unopposed for the 2024-2028 term
• Received 44 out of 45 available votes, with one abstention
• Previously served as OCA acting president since 2021
• Replaced Kuwait's Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who was banned for 15 years
• Election attended by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and sports leaders from 45 Asian countries

Randhir Singh's Background and Achievements

• 77-year-old former Olympic shooter and sports administrator
• Competed in five Summer Olympics between 1968 and 1984
• Participated in four Asian Games, winning medals in three:
  • Gold in 1978 Bangkok Asian Games
  • Bronze in 1982 Delhi Asian Games
  • Silver in team event at 1986 Seoul Asian Games
• Member of the International Olympic Committee from 2001 to 2014
• Continues as an honorary member of the IOC
• Comes from a family with a rich sports history:
  • Father, Bhalindra Singh, played first-class cricket and was an IOC member (1947-1992)
  • Uncle, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, played Test cricket for India and was an IOC member

Awards received:

• • Arjuna Award (1979)
  • Olympic Council of Asia Award of Merit (2005)
  • ANOC Merit Award (2006)
  • International Olympic Committee's Olympic Order, Silver (2014)

Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Overview

• Established in 1949 as the Asian Games Federation in New Delhi
• Renamed Olympic Council of Asia in 1981
• Headquarters moved from New Delhi to Kuwait
• Non-governmental body governing sports in Asia
• 45 Asian National Olympic Committee members
• Recognized by the International Olympic Committee

Future Plans and Challenges

• Randhir Singh emphasized Asia's strong foothold in world sports
• Highlighted unity among National Olympic Committees
• Challenges include managing the size of the Asian Games:
  • 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games had over 15,000 athletes
  • Plans to reduce the number of teams through qualifications
• Yoga accepted as a demonstration sport for 2026 Nagoya-Aichi Asian Games
• India's future Olympic ambitions:
  • Bidding for 2030 Youth Olympics
  • Long-term goal of hosting 2036 Olympics
• India to compete against Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Thailand, Mongolia, Russia, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2030 Youth Olympics hosting rights