Yogi hands appointment letters to sportspersons

Lucknow: Honouring sportspersons from Uttar Pradesh who have won laurels both at the domestic and international levels, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday handed over appointment letters to six sportspersons who have become gazetted officers in the state, including cricketer Rinku Singh, who has been appointed regional sports officer.

The CM also announced that the prize money under the Lakhman and Rani Lakshmibai awards would be increased from Rs 3.11 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.


Distributing appointment letters, awards and cash prizes to sportspersons at a programme in Lucknow, the CM highlighted that behind every medal is a story of struggle, discipline, and resolve to never give up.

"Talent gives you a start, but it is hard work that takes you to your goal. The more you sweat, the closer victory will come. Sports teach you to fall, rise, and win. The one who falls will rise, and the one who rises will win. The one who trembles at falling will not be able to rise. The one who is careless in rising will not be able to reach close to victory," he said.

Asking sportspersons to make practice a part of their routine, the CM assured them that govt would provide them with support at every level.

The CM told the players to make sports a part of their disciplined routine, climb the pinnacle of hard work, and win medals for the country, and state govt will provide cooperation and support at every level. He highlighted that his govt gave Rs 200 crore to players in the form of awards and incentives over the past nine years, and promoted traditional Indian sports like kabaddi, wrestling, and kho-kho.

Encouraging people to always strive for better, the CM gave the example of volleyball and badminton, where, he said, the effort was to not let the ball or shuttlecock fall down. "As soon as an opportunity comes, our shot should be so powerful that it brings victory. Take inspiration from Japan's Kaizen (continuous improvement) and Monozukuri (art of excellent manufacturing). There is scope for continuous improvement in every task," he said.

Crediting PM Modi for encouraging sports in the country since 2014, through programmes like Khelo India Khelo, Fit India Movement, and Sansad Khelkud Spardha, Yogi said that UP govt also started promoting sports at the rural level, where playgrounds were being created to promote sports and exercise.

"In funds, govt provides for villages and panchayats, sports grounds and open gyms remain a priority. A provision was made in the budget that mini-stadiums should be constructed at every development block level. MLAs and MPs have been told that they can use their funds for the development of sports and related infrastructure," the CM said.

He also announced that the first sports university in the country, coming up in Meerut, will be inaugurated by May or June this year. Subsequently, the govt would also be constructing sports colleges at the divisional level and centres of excellence for a particular sport. The sports budget, which was zero earlier, increased so much that the department was unable to spend it, the CM said.

To encourage sportspersons, the CM said, state govt gives Rs 6 crore for winning a gold medal, Rs 4 crore for silver, and Rs 2 crore for a bronze medal in individual games at the Olympics. Similar prizes are given to winners in the Asian, Commonwealth, World Championship, and SAF Games. He added that UP is the first state in the country to prioritise players in govt jobs and, so far, appointment letters have been issued to more than 500 players.

Yogi highlighted Meerut's bat-making industry, saying that UP was getting global recognition from this. Sports, he said, was not just about winning medals but also a medium to present the country's strength. The CM said that UP's sports secretary is an Olympian and international medal winner, while the Sports Director has led the Indian hockey team.