New Delhi

The Indian sporting fraternity on Wednesday mourned the death of veteran sports administrator and former shooter Randhir Singh, with Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra leading tributes and describing him as a towering figure in Indian and global sport.

Singh, India’s first Asian Games gold medallist in shooting, passed away in New Delhi after battling age-related ailments.

Paying tribute, Bindra said Singh devoted his life to sports both as an athlete and administrator, adding that his contributions to Indian and international sport would remain an enduring part of sporting history.

Singh represented India in five Olympic Games and won a historic trap shooting gold medal at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok.

The Olympic Council of Asia, which Singh headed until earlier this year, described him as a distinguished leader of the Olympic movement who dedicated his life to promoting sports and Olympic values across Asia.

Cycling Federation of India secretary general Maninder Pal Singh called Singh an exceptional administrator and a compassionate human being whose contribution to sport in India and globally would never be forgotten.

Indian Olympic Association member I D Nanavati expressed shock over the news and remembered Singh as a kind and generous figure in the sporting world.

Former Indian Olympic Association president Narinder Batra termed Singh a “true stalwart” of Indian sports whose lifelong commitment to the Olympic movement earned him immense respect worldwide.

“He carried himself with dignity, wisdom, and commitment,” Batra said, adding that Singh’s contribution to athletes and sports administration would always be remembered.

Boxing Federation of India vice-president Rajesh Bhandari also condoled Singh’s demise, describing him as a visionary sports administrator and guiding force for Indian sports.

Swimming Federation of India CEO Virendra Nanavati remembered Singh as an eminent sports personality of international standing and a great humanitarian whose contribution to the Olympic movement at national, Asian and global levels would always be cherished.

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Singh had served as secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association from 1987 to 2010 and was associated with the International Olympic Committee in various capacities between 2001 and 2014.