Chief minister Yogi Adityanath
Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said the state govt is promoting sports talent by offering direct recruitment to medal-winning sportspersons under the ‘Padak Lao, Pad Pao’ scheme, alongside cash rewards and other incentives.
He contrasted the current situation with the period before 2017, alleging that an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness had restricted opportunities for youth, particularly girls, while sports facilities remained neglected.
Extending greetings on the sixth day of Sharadiya Navratri, he said the policy reflects the govt’s commitment to empowering youth, especially women, through improved sports infrastructure, opportunities and career support. In a post on social media platform X, the chief minister said Maa Katyayani, worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri, symbolises courage, determination and valour, and serves as an inspiration for women to achieve new heights in every field. Highlighting changes brought about in the state over the past nine and a half years, Yogi said the govt had focused on strengthening sports infrastructure and creating opportunities for young talent. The chief minister said the state now has a growing network of sports infrastructure, ranging from village-level playgrounds and block-level mini stadiums to district stadiums, divisional sports colleges and Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Meerut. These facilities, he said, are helping young athletes, especially women, develop their skills and pursue sporting careers. Yogi noted that athletes winning medals at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games are being rewarded with substantial cash prizes and govt jobs through the “Padak Lao, Pad Pao” initiative. The policy, he said, aims to honour sporting excellence while providing athletes with long-term career security. The chief minister said the success of these athletes reflected the impact of the state’s efforts to encourage sports and nurture talent, adding that the govt remained committed to supporting the aspirations of young sportspersons and strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s sporting ecosystem.