A renowned shooter and cousin of former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Randhir Singh belonged to the fourth generation of a distinguished sporting family from Patiala
27 May, 2026 – Chandigarh : Five-time Olympian, Asian Games gold medallist, former Arjuna Awardee and veteran sports administrator Raja Randhir Singh passed away on Wednesday. He was 79.
A renowned shooter and cousin of former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Randhir Singh belonged to the fourth generation of a distinguished sporting family from Punjab’s Patiala. His uncle, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, represented India in Test cricket, while his father, Raja Bhalindra Singh, served as a member of the Indian Olympic Committee from 1947 to 1992.
Known for his blunt and forthright style as an administrator, Randhir Singh represented India in shooting at five Olympic Games — Mexico 1968, Munich 1972, Montreal 1976, Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984. He was also named a reserve shooter for the Tokyo 1964 Olympics.
He also represented India at the Asian Games in Bangkok (1978), New Delhi (1982), Seoul (1986) and Hiroshima (1994), besides competing at the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton in 1978.
Among his major achievements, Randhir Singh won a gold medal at the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games and secured bronze (individual) and silver (team) medals at the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games.
Advertisement
Over the decades, he held several key positions in Indian and international sports administration. He served as Honorary Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (1987-2014), Secretary General of the Olympic Council of Asia (1991-2015), and was a member of the International Olympic Committee from 2001 to 2014 before becoming an honorary member.
He also served on various IOC commissions and represented the IOC on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Foundation Board. In addition, he held positions with the Sports Authority of India, the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and the Afro-Asian Games Council, among several other sporting bodies.
“With deep sorrow, we share the sad news of the passing of Raja Randhir Singh, who left for his heavenly abode today. A distinguished Olympian, Arjuna Awardee and one of the most respected sports administrators in India, Asia, and the International Olympic Committee, Raja Randhir Singh made invaluable contributions to the development of shooting sports and the Olympic movement. The National Rifle Association of India and the entire shooting fraternity mourn this irreparable loss and extend heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones,” read a message shared across the Indian shooting fraternity.
The Tribune