In recognition with the outstanding achievements and excellent services rendered by Raja Randhir Singh for the promotion of sports at national as well as international level, the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar on Friday conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa).Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the Punjab government said that Higher Education Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa on golden jubilee year convocation bestowed upon the doctorate degree upon Raja Randhir Singh.The citation reads, “Raja Randhir Singh’s achievements are a testament to his relentless dedication, commitment and outstanding performance in sports. He, with his unstinting passion for sports, is without question, the most deserving recipient of the award of the prestigious degree. I request Mr. Chancellor that Raja Randhir Singh be conferred upon the Degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa).Raja Randhir Singh’s achievements have brought a glow of pride to our country. He has been a recipient of many of India’s highest sports awards and honours including the Arjuna Award, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award and International Awards like Merit Award from Olympic Council of Asia, Merit Award from Association of National Olympic Committees, Olympic Order and Honorary Doctorate of Literature from Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Government of India.
Notably, Raja Randhir Singh’s relentless commitment and outstanding performance in sports earned him a Continental Gold at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok and Team Silver in 1982 at Asian Games in New Delhi with an immense strength of purpose from 1968 to 1984 he competed at five Olympic Games in Trap and at four Asian Games, bringing to his credit a gold, a silver and a bronze. With a long standing devotion Raja Randhir Singh became Honorary Secretary General of the Indian Olympics Association; member of the governing body of Sports Authority of India; Secretary General of Olympic Council of Asia; Founder Secretary General of the Afro-Asian Games Council; member Executive Council Association of National Olympic Committee (ANOC); member and representative of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA); and Lifetime Vice-President of Olympic Council of Asia. He has also been a member of the International Olympic Committee from 2001 to 2014; Honorary Member since 2014; and a member of various sports bodies like Olympic Games Study; Sport for All; Women and Sport; and International Olympic Truce Foundation. On the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Jaspal Singh Sandhu honoured the Chief Guest and other dignitaries with mementoes on the behalf of the University.