NEW DELHI: Randhir Singh, a prominent figure in Indian sports administration and a former international shooter, has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to prioritize sending their strongest cricket teams to the Asian Games.
He believes that this move is crucial for elevating cricket’s stature within Asia and on the global stage.
“Till now, they (BCCI) only send the ‘B’ team, which is a counter-bullet for them because you cannot popularise a sport (globally) if you are not strong in your continent.You cannot expect Europe or somebody else or South America to include cricket in their continental game,” Randhir, the 77-year-old former member of the International Olympic Council and ex-secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), told PTI.
“So I was very keen… as much as possible, especially India, as we are the leaders (in cricket) in Asia, the BCCI should make an effort and introduce cricket…I see many countries sending their men’s and women’s teams, but still India are the No. 1 team. However, some of the top players never went, which is wrong because everyone is playing at that level. It’s more sensible to send the ‘A’ team,” he added.
Singh, poised to become the first Indian president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), advocated for increased sporting engagement between India and Pakistan, viewing it as a means to foster camaraderie and elevate the stature of various sports disciplines.
He highlighted the immense public interest in India-Pakistan matches, suggesting that such events transcend political barriers and contribute significantly to the visibility and financial success of sports.
“I think Pakistan is keen to maintain a relationship in sports with us. Their Olympic committee officials will be here (for the OCA General Assembly on September 8). We should encourage (sports interaction), instead of travelling hundreds of miles (to play games). If it’s a question of visibility of a particular sport, nothing sells more in India than India-Pakistan games,” he said.
Singh’s perspective stems from his extensive experience in the sporting world.
He is a fourth-generation member of a family deeply involved in sports, having participated as an athlete, administrator, and a key figure in the OCA for over three decades.
“I’ve been lucky in my life as my family has been involved in sport for a very long time. I’m the fourth generation. Sports started in my family during my great grandfather, Maharaja Rajinder Singh’s time. It was cricket and polo then. So, now, it’s my turn. It’s been a long journey definitely… as a spectator, as a young boy with my father Raja Bhalindra Singh, then as a shooter and then as an administrator from 1984 onwards,” said Randhir.
“I was lucky to be at the OCA for 33 years since 1991. And we set up what is now called the Olympic Council of Asia, which, out of all the five continents, is the strongest in sport. As they say in the Olympic Movement, ‘if anybody can’t hold any games, Asia is the one that can do it.'”
Looking ahead, Singh acknowledged India’s aspiration to host the 2036 Olympics but clarified that the OCA remains neutral in the bidding process, respecting the autonomy of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the individual bids of India and Qatar.
He believes that this move is crucial for elevating cricket’s stature within Asia and on the global stage.
“Till now, they (BCCI) only send the ‘B’ team, which is a counter-bullet for them because you cannot popularise a sport (globally) if you are not strong in your continent.You cannot expect Europe or somebody else or South America to include cricket in their continental game,” Randhir, the 77-year-old former member of the International Olympic Council and ex-secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), told PTI.
“So I was very keen… as much as possible, especially India, as we are the leaders (in cricket) in Asia, the BCCI should make an effort and introduce cricket…I see many countries sending their men’s and women’s teams, but still India are the No. 1 team. However, some of the top players never went, which is wrong because everyone is playing at that level. It’s more sensible to send the ‘A’ team,” he added.
Singh, poised to become the first Indian president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), advocated for increased sporting engagement between India and Pakistan, viewing it as a means to foster camaraderie and elevate the stature of various sports disciplines.
He highlighted the immense public interest in India-Pakistan matches, suggesting that such events transcend political barriers and contribute significantly to the visibility and financial success of sports.
“I think Pakistan is keen to maintain a relationship in sports with us. Their Olympic committee officials will be here (for the OCA General Assembly on September 8). We should encourage (sports interaction), instead of travelling hundreds of miles (to play games). If it’s a question of visibility of a particular sport, nothing sells more in India than India-Pakistan games,” he said.
Singh’s perspective stems from his extensive experience in the sporting world.
He is a fourth-generation member of a family deeply involved in sports, having participated as an athlete, administrator, and a key figure in the OCA for over three decades.
“I’ve been lucky in my life as my family has been involved in sport for a very long time. I’m the fourth generation. Sports started in my family during my great grandfather, Maharaja Rajinder Singh’s time. It was cricket and polo then. So, now, it’s my turn. It’s been a long journey definitely… as a spectator, as a young boy with my father Raja Bhalindra Singh, then as a shooter and then as an administrator from 1984 onwards,” said Randhir.
“I was lucky to be at the OCA for 33 years since 1991. And we set up what is now called the Olympic Council of Asia, which, out of all the five continents, is the strongest in sport. As they say in the Olympic Movement, ‘if anybody can’t hold any games, Asia is the one that can do it.'”
Looking ahead, Singh acknowledged India’s aspiration to host the 2036 Olympics but clarified that the OCA remains neutral in the bidding process, respecting the autonomy of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the individual bids of India and Qatar.