Uttar Pradesh
CM Yogi Awards Over Jobs to Athletes
- 30 Jul 2025
- 4 min read
Why in News?
On the occasion of Nag Panchami, during the conclusion of the Uttar Pradesh Senior Wrestling Competition held at Gorakhnath Temple, CM Yogi Adityanath announced that over 500 athletes in Uttar Pradesh have been provided with government jobs as part of the state's commitment to promoting sports.
Key Points
- Wrestling Awards and Recognition: During the wrestling competition, the CM awarded prestigious titles such as UP Kesari, UP Kumar, and UP Veer Abhimanyu to the winners. The awardees included:
- UP Kesari: Jonty Bhati (Gautam Buddh Nagar) received ₹1.01 lakh and a mace.
- UP Kumar: Saurabh (Gorakhpur) received ₹1.01 lakh and a mace.
- UP Veer Abhimanyu: Monu (Gonda) received ₹51,000 and a mace.
- The CM also awarded ₹21,000 to third-place winners and ₹11,000 to the fourth-place winners in each category.
- Government Jobs for Athletes: Under the state’s sports policy, athletes who have excelled in Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and National Games are being provided with government employment.
- Sports Infrastructure Development: CM emphasized the government’s efforts over the last eight years to develop sports infrastructure at the village, block, and district levels.
- Key developments include the construction of sports grounds at the village level, mini-stadiums at the block level, and full stadiums at the district level.
- Role of Sports in Personal and Social Development: Reflecting on the importance of sports, CM Yogi quoted a phrase from ancient Indian philosophy, “Sharir Madhyam Khalu Dharm Sadhanam”, meaning that a healthy body is essential for the fulfillment of religious duties.
Key Points of the Uttar Pradesh Sports Policy 2023
- Creation of Uttar Pradesh Sports Development Fund (UPSDF): ₹10 crore fund to support infrastructure, athletes, associations, and academies, especially those lacking resources.
- Institutional Support: Formation of a State Sports Authority to manage sports policy, talent mapping, and infrastructure development.
- Centers of Excellence & Infrastructure:
- Up to 14 sports-specific Centres of Excellence under the PPP model.
- Five High Performance Centres for elite training.
- Sports centers in every district with improved facilities (hostels, fitness experts, diet experts).
- Focus on district, block, and village-level sports infrastructure (stadiums, mini-stadiums, playgrounds).
- Athlete Development: Athletes divided into three tiers: Grassroots (beginner), Developmental (talented) and Elite (top performers).
- Focus on Inclusivity:
- Special emphasis on women’s participation and para-athletes (with exclusive coaches).
- Cashless health insurance up to ₹5 lakh for registered players, coaches, and families under the Ayushman scheme.
- State pension for players who represented UP nationally/internationally.
- Promotion of E-Sports and Indigenous Games: First state in India to include e-sports in official policy.
- Encouragement of indigenous/local games.
- Linkage with Education: 40 minutes of sports, physical education, or yoga included in school timetables.
- Promotion of sports nurseries/academies in schools.
- Sports Industry and Tourism: Support for making UP a hub for sports goods manufacturing (e.g., Meerut cluster).
- Boosting sports tourism.
- Comprehensive Talent Search & Khelo India Integration: Active participation in Khelo India University Games.
- Talent identification through university and academy competitions.
- Health and Welfare Measures: Eklavya Sports Fund for injury treatment and welfare.
- Personal accident insurance for athletes and coaches.
