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Garma
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Sports |
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. Raja Bhalindra Singh (1919-1992)
Popularly known as Raja Sahib both in sports and political circles, Raja Bhalindra Singh belonged to a rare breed of sports administrators. Sports was not a pastime for him but a passion and with passion he pursued it throughout his life. He was still batting when the innings folded up for him. The Raja did not possess a sports mind only. He himself was a fine rider, a good cricketer and a fine tennis player. He had the distinction of donning Cambrige University colours Besides, he wielded the willow in the Ranjit Trophy as member of the Southern Punjab team. But his real break came when he was elected life member of the International Olympic Committee in 1974. At that time his own brother, both were born of different Ranis, Maharaja Yadvindra Singh, was President of the Indian Olympic Association. From 1959 to 1975, he held the position of President of the IOA. There was a gap after this. But the Raja once again occupied the old seat of the chief of the IOA. He held the post till 1984. In between, the 1982 Asian Games were organised by India in New Delhi under his patronage. But raja Bhalindra Singh did not confine his interest only to the IOC or the IOA, but he was equally associated with athletics, swimming and hockey. A product of famous A product of famous Aitchison College, Lahore, Raja Bhalindra Singh remained President of the Patiala Union Olympic Association till 1957. Till 1960, he was the Vice-President of the Punjab Olympic Association. He had been President of the Amateur Athletics Federation of India since 1953 and continued in his post till the 80s. In 1964 Tokyo Olympics Games he was appointed che-de-mission of the India contingent. The Government honoured his with the Padma Bhushan Award in recognition of his services to sports. But that was not the only award that came his way. He was also given the 1982 International Distinguished Service Award by the US Sports Academy, having its headquarters in Mobile (Alabama) Raja Bhalindra Singh also dabbled in politics for a short period. He was elected to the Punjab Legistature Assembly in 1958. He worked in the home and education departments if PEPSU. He also served as Director of the State Bank of Patiala. During the 1982 Asian Games he was also President of the Asian Games Federation. However, the body was disbanded immediately after the games. In its place, the Olympic Council of Asia was formed. The Raja was the chief architect in the formation of the OCA. In fact, at the time of his death, his son Randhir Singh, who has donned India colours in the Olympic and the Asian Games and many other international meets as shooter, was the secretary-general of the Indian Olympic Association as well as the Olympic Council of Asia. Though there is not an iota of doubt that this son Randhir Singh will carry forward the flame lit by Raja Bhalindra Singh in the world of sports, yet the latter will be remembered for putting Olympic movement on a firm footing not only in India but in Asia as well.
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The House of Patiala has not only been
known for patronising sports, but it has also been credited with
producing great sportsmen and administrators. No household throughout
India can match the pioneering work done by the Patiala family. Both
Yadvindra Singh and Bhalindra Singh only followed a course which their
ancestors had set for them.