Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Vice President Randhir Singh today condoled the death of former Indian Olympic Association President Ashwini Kumar, saying the nation has lost a capable and renowned sports administrator in him.
"Ashwini Kumar was an astute sports administrator whose sole aim was to develop Indian sports and produce Olympic champions for the country. He was one of the stalwarts of Indian sports administration. The sporting fraternity will deeply miss him," said Randhir, also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in his condolence message.
Ashwini, who was honoured with the Olympic Order in 2002, passed away last evening. He was 94 and breathed his last in a city hospital.
He was life President of IOA and also headed Indian Hockey Federation, which he served for 16 years.
He was also elected as an IOC member in 1973 and became a member of the IOC Executive Board in 1980.
He served IOC as vice-president from 1983 to 1987 and was re-elected to the IOC Executive Board from 1992 to 1996. He became an IOC honorary member in 2000.
Ashwini served the police force for 36 years and retired as the Director General of the Border Security Force in 1978. He then served as a security delegate in organising security for the Olympic Games since 1980.
He was also adjudged the 'Policeman of the millennium' in Sydney in 2000.
