After fighting age-related illnesses, veteran sports administrator Randhir Singh, India's first Asian Games shooting gold medallist and a key figure in the nation's Olympic program, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 79.
Before dying at home, Singh had been in the hospital for a few days. His children Mahima, Sunaina, and Rajeshwari, as well as his wife Vinita, survive him.
With his passing, an era in Indian sports came to an end, and he left behind a lasting legacy as a successful athlete and influential administrator.
Due to health issues, Singh has just resigned from his position as President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).In a statement, National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) Secretary Rajiv Bhatia said, "We share the sad news of the passing of Raja Randhir Singh, who left for his heavenly abode today, May 27, 2026."
"Raja Randhir Singh, a renowned Olympian, Arjuna Awardee, and one of the most esteemed sports administrators in India, Asia, and the International Olympic Committee, made significant contributions to the growth of shooting sports and the Olympic movement."
Randhir Singh, who was born into the old Patiala royal family and descended from former Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, made a name for himself in Indian sports by being a skilled shooter.

His greatest athletic accomplishment was in the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, where he became India's first shooting gold medallist at the continental event by winning trap gold. He received the Arjuna Award in 1979 for the accomplishment.
His Olympic career spanned several decades. He competed in Mexico in 1968, Munich in 1972, Montreal in 1976, Moscow in 1980, and Los Angeles in 1984 after serving as a reserve shooter for India in Tokyo in 1964.
His administrative influence may have been even more significant if his competitive career was noteworthy.
Singh held several positions in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 2001 to 2014 and was the Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) from 1987 to 2010.Singh, who was highly regarded for his ability to foster unity in India's sometimes divided sports administration, was instrumental in advancing the Olympic movement in the nation and influencing top-level policy.
His family carries on his athletic legacy. While Sunaina Singh made a name for herself in sports administration and is currently an IOA vice-president, Rajeshwari Singh, his daughter, followed dad into shooting and won gold at the 2016 Asian Championships and silver at the 2022 Asian Games.
A pivotal period in Indian sport, characterised by medals, leadership, and decades of behind-the-scenes influence, comes to an end with Randhir Singh's passing.