The Uttar Pradesh government has unveiled a new sports policy which entails a number of steps aimed at assisting sportspersons from the state. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announced pensions and also assured special quota in government jobs for sportspersons who win medals.
Uttar Pradesh re-introduced sports quota in Government Jobs
The new policy would do away with discretion and create transparency in the provision of employment in the government sector through well-defined criteria for sportspersons who win medals in recognized international competitions, or for outstanding sportspersons of international repute who have represented India.
The new policy would also entail significant increases in cash rewards for medal winners at international events, winners of government sports awards and assistance for coaches/institutions producing champions.
The policy hiked the award money to be given to sportspersons from the state who win medals in the forthcoming Olympics. Gold medal winners will get Rs. 6 crore, silver medal winners Rs. 4 crore and those winning bronze medals Rs. 2 crore.
Only sportspersons who have represented the state of UP in any sport, with residency or domicile in the state would be eligible for the cash awards/jobs.
In a major boost to sportspersons, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announced that an honorarium and pension of Rs 20,000 would be given to each recipient of Dronacharya Award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award and Padma Shri Awards from Uttar Pradesh. Presently, presently 35 players will be covered under the scheme.
Akhilesh also announced a hike in financial assistance for outstanding state level players from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 4,000 per month, saying they spend the prime of their youth in pursuit of intensive training.
National players will now get financial assistance of Rs. 6,000, up from earlier Rs. 3,000 per month. International players will now get enhanced assistance of Rs. 10,000 per month from earlier Rs. 5,000.
The new policy also creates incentives for the coaches and institutions that produce medal-winners. While the reward scheme for coaches is to be announced at a later date, the Uttar Pradesh government has said it would formulate a scheme to identify the mother institution of medal winning sportspersons and provide financial support, aimed at improving infrastructure and equipment, with the aim of supporting the development of more sporting talent through that institution.
The diet grant to sportspersons in government-run sports hostels would be increased so that – upcoming players could get a healthy diet to prepare themselves for competition.
Besides, multi-purpose halls will be built in the rural areas to offer a platform to the rural youth to show their sporting talents.
The Uttar Pradesh Government has started a scheme to honour renowned sportsperson of the state with prestigious Laxman Awards and Rani Laxmi Bai Awards. Under this scheme, sportsperson are given a citation, a bronze statue of Laxman / Rani Laxmi Bai, a scroll of honour and a cash amount of Rs. 3,11,000. The Laxman award is given to male athletes while Rani Laxmi Bai award is given to female athletes for excelling at the national/ international level.
Rewards would attract more youth towards sports. This will boost the morale of the youngsters and very soon Uttar Pradesh would turn into a sporting hub with international sporting facilities on a par with the best in the country.
Tags: Akhilesh Yadav, Awards, Chief Minister, Hockey, Jobs, Lucknow, Sports, Sports Quota, UP, Uttar Pradesh
