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The 44th Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly, a pivotal event in the Asian sporting calendar, will convene at the Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on September 8, 2023. This momentous occasion will witness the official appointment of Randhir Singh as the first Indian President of the OCA.Randhir Singh, a renowned former Indian shooter, was unanimously elected to this prestigious position earlier this year. The 77-year-old sports legend hails from Patiala, Punjab, and comes from a family steeped in sporting excellence. His uncle, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, represented India in Test cricket and served as an IOC member. His father, Bhalindra Singh, was also an IOC member and a first-class cricketer.Randhir Singh's illustrious sporting career includes participation in four Asian Games editions from 1978 to 1994. He clinched an individual gold medal in trap shooting in 1978, an individual bronze medal in 1982, and a team silver medal in 1986. He also competed at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada.In recognition of his sporting achievements, Randhir Singh was bestowed with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1979 and the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award. His transition into sports administration began during his playing days when he was appointed as the Honorary Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in 1987, a position he held until 2012.Randhir Singh's administrative acumen extended to his role as a member of the governing board of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) from 1987 to 2010. He also served as the Vice-Chairman of the organizing committee for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.His international sports administration career took off in 1991 when he was appointed as the Secretary General of the OCA, a position he held until 2015. He subsequently became the Life Vice President until 2021, after which he was appointed as the Acting President.Randhir Singh's global sports influence is evident in his membership of the ANOC Executive Council since 2002. He served as the IOC representative on the WADA Board from 2003 to 2005 and became a member of WADA's Finance and Administration Committee in 2005. He also chaired the 2019 Asian Games Asian Games Coordination Committee.His IOC membership spanned from 2001 to 2014, after which he continued as an honorary member. During his tenure, he served on various IOC commissions, including Olympic Games Study, Sport for All, Women and Sport, International Olympic Truce Foundation, and Coordination for the 1st Summer Youth Olympic Games Singapore.In recognition of his invaluable contributions to sports, Randhir Singh has received numerous accolades, including the OCA Award of Merit in 2005, the Merit Award from ANOC in 2006, the Olympic Order, Silver in 2014, and an Honorary Doctorate in Literature in Sports Science from Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Government of India.

The Indian men's hockey team, fresh from their Olympic bronze medal triumph, will embark on a new chapter as they aim to defend their Asian Champions Trophy title in Donghae, South Korea. The tournament, which begins on Sunday, will pit India against top Asian hockey nations, including China, Japan, Pakistan, Korea, and Malaysia.India, the only team to have won the ACT title four times, will be the favorites to retain their crown. Led by skipper Harmanpreet Singh, the team boasts a blend of experienced Olympians and promising youngsters."We want to begin the fresh Olympic cycle by winning this tournament," said Harmanpreet. "We have a few youngsters trying to make their impact in the team, and we'll be looking to play a structured defense against strong teams like Japan, Malaysia, and Pakistan."India's opening match will be against hosts China on Sunday. They will then face Japan, Malaysia, Korea, and arch-rivals Pakistan in the round-robin stage. The semifinals and final are scheduled for September 16 and 17.Young midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad, Harmanpreet's deputy for this tournament, emphasized the importance of the ACT in assessing the progress of Asian teams ahead of the 2026 Asian Games."This tournament will give us a chance to see the progress the Asian teams are making," said Vivek. "We're excited to play quality matches and entertain the hockey-loving people of this region."The Indian team has been impressed by the facilities in Donghae, which they believe is one of the most beautiful hockey venues in the world."The facility is incredible," said Vivek. "The excitement of hosting the first international tournament here is quite evident, and we're looking forward to playing quality matches and entertaining the hockey-loving people of this region."

Indian shot-putter Hokato Sema, a landmine blast survivor, has etched his name in history by securing a bronze medal for India at the Paralympic Games in Paris. The 40-year-old Army man from Dimapur, Nagaland, achieved his career-best throw of 14.65 meters in the men's F57 category final on Friday.Sema's journey to the podium has been marked by resilience and determination. In 2002, while participating in an anti-terrorist operation in Jammu & Kashmir's Chowkibal, he lost his left leg in a landmine blast. However, this setback did not deter him from pursuing his passion for sports.In 2016, at the age of 32, Sema was encouraged by a senior army official at the Pune-based Artificial Limb Centre to take up shot put. He quickly showed promise and soon began competing in national para athletics championships.At the Paralympics, Sema started with a mediocre throw of 13.88 meters. But he quickly found his rhythm, touching the 14-meter mark on his second throw and improving further with a heave of 14.40 meters. His best throw came in his fourth attempt, surpassing his personal best of 14.49 meters and securing him the bronze medal.Iran's Yasin Khosravi, the two-time para world champion and Hangzhou Para Games gold medalist, clinched the top spot with a Paralympic record of 15.96 meters. Brazil's Thiago Dos Santos took the silver with his best throw of 15.06 meters.Sema's success is a testament to his indomitable spirit and the power of sports to transform lives. He has become an inspiration for countless others who have faced adversity and overcome challenges.

Simran Sharma, India's reigning world champion in the women's 200m T12 race, has effortlessly secured her place in the final at the Paralympic Games in Paris. On Friday, she clocked an impressive time of 25.03 seconds, showcasing her exceptional speed and determination.Simran's journey to the final began with a dominant performance in her heat, where she emerged victorious with a time of 25.41 seconds. This remarkable achievement propelled her into the semifinals, where she faced off against Germany's Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt, who had narrowly defeated her in the 100m final the previous night.Undeterred by her previous encounter with Mueller-Rottgardt, Simran displayed unwavering focus and determination. She surged ahead from the starting line, maintaining a steady pace throughout the race. Her unwavering spirit and relentless drive carried her across the finish line in a time that secured her a spot in the final.Simran's triumph is a testament to her unwavering resilience and the challenges she has overcome throughout her life. Born prematurely with visual impairment, she faced numerous obstacles, including her father's chronic illness and eventual passing. These difficult experiences instilled in her an indomitable fighting spirit and a deep desire to triumph over adversity.The T12 classification in the Paralympics is reserved for athletes with visual impairments. Simran's journey began prematurely, spending the first 10 weeks of her life in an incubator, where her visual impairment was discovered. Despite the challenges she faced, Simran's determination remained unwavering.Her breakthrough moment came at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championship, where she competed despite the fear of losing her father. Although she suffered the loss of her father shortly after returning from the event, she channeled her grief into motivation, determined to honor his memory through her achievements.Simran's story is an inspiration to all who face adversity. Her unwavering spirit, resilience, and determination serve as a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and a belief in oneself. As she prepares for the final, Simran carries the hopes and dreams of her nation, ready to showcase her exceptional talent and inspire countless others.

India's Kasthuri Rajamani, a 40-year-old powerlifter from Tamil Nadu, participated in the women's 67kg event at the Paralympic Games in Paris on Friday. Despite equaling her personal best lift of 106kg in her second attempt, Rajamani finished eighth among nine competitors.Rajamani's journey to powerlifting began when a para shooter friend encouraged her to take up the sport. She subsequently won gold in the 67kg category at the Khelo India Para Games last year. However, at the Hangzhou Para Games in 2023, she placed fifth.In the Paris Paralympics, China's Yujiao Tan, a two-time Paralympic champion and four-time world championship gold medalist, dominated the event. Tan set a new world and Paralympic record with a lift of 142kg, securing her third consecutive title at the global showpiece.Egypt's Fatma Elyan claimed the silver medal with a best lift of 139kg, while Brazil's Fatima de Maria earned the bronze with a lift of 133kg.Rajamani's performance, while not resulting in a medal, showcased her determination and resilience. She has demonstrated the potential for Indian athletes to excel in powerlifting at the international level.

Gold medal-winning archer Harvinder Singh and sprinter Preethi Pal, who made history by becoming the first-ever Indian woman to win two medals at the Paralympics, will be the country's flag bearers during the closing ceremony of the Paris Games on Sunday.Harvinder, 33, who had also scripted history by becoming the first Indian archer to clinch a gold at the Paralympics to add to the bronze he won in Tokyo in 2021, said carrying the country's flag during the closing ceremony was the highest honor he could have dreamed of."Winning gold for India has been a dream come true, and now leading our nation as a flag-bearer at the closing ceremony is the highest honor I could imagine. This victory is for everyone who believed in me, and I hope to inspire many more to pursue their dreams," said the Haryana-based Harvinder, who has impairment in both legs since he was a toddler.Preethi, 23, who clinched bronze medals in women's T35 100m and 200m competitions with personal best timings of 14.21 and 30.01 seconds respectively, said she was thrilled with the news."It is a great honor to represent India as a flag bearer. This moment is not just about me; it's about every para-athlete who has pushed their limits to make our nation proud. I am thrilled to be leading our incredible team at the closing ceremony." Preeti, born in Uttar Pradesh, is a T35 athlete, who suffers from coordination impairments such as hypertonia, ataxia, and athetosis.The Indian contingent's chef de mission Satya Prakash Sangwan said in a statement that the two athletes' performance will inspire future generations."Harvinder Singh's historic gold in archery and Preethi Pal's stellar performance in athletics have made them true ambassadors of our nation's grit and determination.""Their role as flag-bearers at the closing ceremony is a symbol of the incredible journey our athletes have undertaken. Their achievements inspire us all, and I am confident they will continue to motivate future generations of para-athletes," said Sangwan.India has so far won 26 medals, including six gold and nine silver, which is their best-ever performance at the Paralympics.

Gagan Narang Lauds Indian Para Athletes' Performance at ParalympicsLondon Games bronze medallist shooter and India's Chef de Mission at the Paris Olympics, Gagan Narang, has expressed his admiration for the country's para athletes for their exceptional performance at the ongoing Paralympics. The Indian Paralympic contingent has already secured a record 25 medals, including 5 gold, 9 silver, and 11 bronze, and currently stands at the 16th position in the medal tally.Narang praised the para athletes for surpassing the medal tally of the Tokyo Paralympics and expressed his anticipation for more medals in the future. He emphasized the importance of recognizing their achievements and supporting their continued success."A fantastic effort by our Paralympians. They surpassed the Tokyo Paralympics medal tally, looking forward for more medals," Narang said.When asked about his analysis of the Paris Olympic Games, Narang stated that he had not yet conducted a thorough assessment. He stressed the significance of focusing on the present and supporting the para athletes' ongoing performance."I haven't done my analysis of the Paris Olympics yet, everybody has spoken about it. But the most important thing right now is that in the Paralympics we are performing well, we are on the 16th position today," Narang said.Narang also shared his passion for photography and expressed his appreciation for the photographs displayed at the Media Photojournalist Trust's photo exhibition event at the Press Club of India. He emphasized the vital role of photographers in journalism and the irreplaceable value of their perspectives."Fantastic exhibition indeed, photographers are lifeline of journalism. They give us a perspective and no AI (Artificial Intelligence) can replace them. I wish, pray and help the association to do this function every year. Fantastic effort and great pictures," Narang concluded.

Former Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has resigned from her position as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) with the Indian Railways, citing personal reasons. The resignation comes amid speculation that she may join the Congress party and contest the upcoming Haryana assembly elections.Phogat, 30, is a renowned wrestler who has won numerous medals at the international level, including a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships. She was disqualified from the 50kg gold medal match at the Paris Olympics for being overweight by 100 grams, a decision that she appealed against but was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.In her resignation letter, Phogat expressed her gratitude to the Indian Railways for the opportunity to serve the nation. She stated that she was unable to perform her duties as OSD due to family circumstances and personal reasons. She requested that her resignation be accepted with immediate effect and that one month's salary be deposited in lieu of her one month's notice period.Phogat's resignation has sparked speculation that she may join the Congress party and contest the Haryana assembly elections next month. She met with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi earlier this week, leading to widespread rumors of her political ambitions.If Phogat does join the Congress party, it would be a significant boost for the party's campaign in Haryana. She is a popular figure in the state and has a strong following among the youth. Her decision to enter politics could also inspire other athletes to consider a career in public service.

India's javelin throw sensation Neeraj Chopra has secured his spot in the prestigious Diamond League season finale, scheduled for September 14-15 in Brussels. Despite battling a persistent groin injury, Chopra's impressive performances throughout the season have earned him a place among the top four athletes in the overall standings.Chopra's journey to the Diamond League finale began with a second-place finish in Doha, where he threw 89.30m. He replicated this feat in Lausanne, finishing behind Grenada's Anderson Peters with a throw of 89.08m. These performances earned him 14 points, placing him fourth in the overall standings.The 26-year-old Haryana-born athlete has been grappling with a groin injury since before the Tokyo Olympics, which has hindered his pursuit of the elusive 90m mark. Despite this setback, Chopra has remained determined to overcome his physical challenges and regain his peak form.In the recently concluded Zurich meet, Peters emerged victorious with a throw of 90.61m, while German star Julian Weber finished second. Chopra opted to skip this meet to prioritize his recovery and preparation for the Diamond League finale.Chopra's participation in the Diamond League finale holds significant importance as the winner of each event is awarded a prestigious "Diamond Trophy," a cash prize of USD 30,000, and a wild card for the World Athletics Championships.The Indian javelin thrower has a strong track record in the Diamond League, having won the Lausanne leg in 2022 and 2023. He also finished second to Jakub Vadlejch in the winner-takes-all finale in Eugene, USA, last year.Chopra's immediate focus is on addressing his groin injury and regaining full fitness. He has expressed his determination to improve his technique and push the boundaries of his performance in the upcoming season.