Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has highlighted changes in women’s safety, sports infrastructure and opportunities for female athletes in the state, saying his government has worked to create an environment where girls can pursue their ambitions and develop their sporting talent.
In a post on X during the Navratri period, Adityanath invoked Maa Katyayani as a symbol of women’s courage, determination and strength. He contrasted the situation before 2017 with what he described as improvements over the past nine and a half years in security, sports facilities and support for women athletes.
CM Yogi Adityanath Highlights Changes in Women’s Safety
Adityanath said that before 2017, fear and lawlessness restricted girls’ opportunities, with limited resources and fewer avenues to pursue their ambitions. He claimed that the state had since witnessed a shift towards greater security, encouragement and access to sports facilities.
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The chief minister presented women’s safety and opportunities as important factors in enabling girls to participate in sports and pursue careers beyond traditional boundaries.
Uttar Pradesh Expands Sports Infrastructure
According to Adityanath, sports facilities have expanded from village playgrounds and block-level mini stadiums to district stadiums and divisional sports colleges. He also highlighted the Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Meerut as part of the state’s sports infrastructure development.
These facilities, he said, provide young athletes with opportunities to train, improve their skills and compete at higher levels.
Cash Awards and Government Jobs for Medal Winners
Adityanath also referred to financial rewards for athletes winning medals at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. He highlighted the state’s “Medal Lao, Pad Pao” initiative, under which eligible medal-winning athletes can receive direct government recruitment opportunities.
He said such measures recognise sporting achievements while offering athletes greater financial security and career prospects. The post, however, did not provide specific award amounts or recruitment figures.
UP Athletes Recognised for International Performances
The chief minister cited several athletes from Uttar Pradesh who have represented India at major sporting events. The names mentioned in his post included:
- Athletics: Parul Chaudhary, Priyanka Goswami, Prachi Chaudhary and Annu Rani
- Judo: Asmita De
- Cricket: Deepti Sharma and Meghna Singh
- Hockey: Vandana Katariya
- Wrestling: Divya Kakran
Adityanath said their performances at the Commonwealth and Asian Games had brought recognition to both the country and the state.
Concluding his message, the chief minister paid tribute to Maa Katyayani, whose symbolism of courage and determination was central to his message about women’s empowerment and sporting achievement.
