This was also reflected in his work. Due to his influence on the International Olympic Committee (IOA) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), he remained part of both organizations for decades. In fact, even after serving as the secretary of the OCA for over two decades from 1991 to 2015, he was elected president in 2024 and was interim president from September 2021. He served as the secretary general of the IOA from 1991-2015. He was at the IOC from 2001 to 2015 and was also made an honorary life member later. He was also an IOC representative to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
A former international shooter himself, Singh was the first Asian Games gold medalist in shooting. He represented India in the Olympics four times. Hailing from the Maharaja family of Patiala, Singh was considered one of the country’s most astute sports administrators.
One of India’s most respected and senior sports administrators, Singh breathed his last at his residence in New Delhi on Wednesday. It will be safe to say that he would probably be one of the last long-serving former senior officials of the Indian Olympic Association. He as secretary and late Suresh Kalmadi as president made a formidable couple in IOA. Although the two had a frosty relationship towards the end of their tenure, they never broke up openly. There was mutual respect. He is survived by his wife Vinita and three daughters – Mahima, Sunaina and Rajeshwari.
