Raja Randhir Singh, Acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia, has seen Indian sport from close quarters. A former trap-shooter, who represented India in five Olympics, he won gold at the Asian Games in Bangkok in 1978 and clinched several national titles. In an exclusive chat with RevSportz, Randhir, now 77, spoke about how India has grown into a country which no longer goes to major sporting competitions just for exposure.
“The Indian athlete today has got not just potential, but great self- belief to take on the world,” said Randhir, who was Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) head of conduct for the Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Accorded diplomatic status in China during the Asian Games, Randhir would drop in at almost every venue. “There is a big difference, a big change I am seeing in Indian sport,” he emphasised. “I have shot for India since the time of Maharaja Karni Singh of Bikaner, when a single World Championship event would drag on for three days. Today, our athletes have become mentally stronger. The results we saw in the Asian Games were proof of India growing in stature as a sporting nation. There is much more to come.”
The former big boss of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), a former IOC member in India and secretary general of the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi, Randhir has seen Indian sport at various stages. “One has to compliment the Indian athlete today for being fearless,” he said. “It is not like the old days when some athletes were scared just to hear some of the big names from foreign countries. There has been a mindset change and a lot of people can take credit for it. Ultimately, it is the athlete who goes there and performs.”
Does the OCA chief and the veteran administrator see India scale more peaks next year at the Paris Olympics? “I see no reason why India should not do well and win more medals,” he replied. “If you are going to ask me for a prediction on the number of medals, I will not take a guess. All I can say is we will do better than what we did in the Tokyo Olympics, that’s for sure.”
Asked about which sporting disciplines he sees as India’s best hope to win medals, Randhir was realistic in his assessment. “Obviously, our talent in Indian shooting is well known to the world,” he said. “I do expect our shooters to win medals in Paris. If I look at athletics, Neeraj Chopra’s javelin gold has changed perceptions, big time. There are other disciplines as well in track and field where Indian athletes are getting stronger and ready to challenge the big guys.”
When India won a record haul of medals at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, fans immediately started asking if there would be an increase in the medal tally in Paris. “I think Hangzhou showed that India has the capacity to win big medals, and we also did so well in the Para Games,” said Randhir. “One must not confuse the two Games – the Asiad and the Olympics. We will do well in the Olympics. Our planning has become professional and there is far greater support for the Indian athletes today from the government and the corporate world. That is very important as the athlete gets the best backing.
“I am very optimistic about many disciplines, archery included. We can win medals in shooting, boxing, badminton, hockey and even wrestling. I am not too sure of what is happening in our weightlifting.”
Making a comparison between his time as an athlete and today, Randhir shared something very thought-provoking. “When I won the Arjuna Award decades ago, the prize money was Rs 5,000!” he said. “Today, the athletes get rewards in lakhs, which is good. The best part is the Indian athletes today do not have to worry about how he or she will train. The way the Indian government is backing Indian athletes is fantastic. They get best facilities in camps, exposure, competition abroad and the advantage of top coaches guiding them. I must mention our men’s hockey team did well to win gold in Hangzhou and we must back the women’s team as well.” Going back to the Asian Games and the Olympic Movement, which Randhir has been part of for decades, he said the standard set by China was worthy of emulation. “From an OCA perspective, I can say that what Hangzhou did as hosts was big,” he said. “The next host city (Nagoya) is aware it will also have to put on a great Asian Games.”
He also felt that it would be huge if India got to host the Olympic Games in 2036. “If you look at the hosts for the next two Olympics, Paris and Los Angeles, so many changes are happening,” said an emotional Randhir. “I am sure India will be there one day as Olympic host.”