Yogi Adityanath Says UP Sports Quota Shifted From Influence to Merit After 2017
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said sports recruitment in the state has become more merit-based since 2017, with hundreds of athletes securing government jobs.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said the state’s sporting culture has undergone a significant change since 2017, with merit and sporting achievements now playing a greater role in recruitment and employment opportunities.
Addressing the appointment of sportspersons selected under the skilled sportsperson quota in the Uttar Pradesh Police, Adityanath said appointment letters would be given to 470 candidates. The selection includes 43 Sub-Inspectors in the Civil Police, 295 Civil Police Constables and 132 Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) Constables.
Adityanath said the government had moved away from what he described as an earlier system in which sports quota recruitment was influenced more by “recommendations and influence” than sporting ability. He attributed the change to the policies introduced by his government after 2017.
According to the Chief Minister, more than 534 sportspersons have already been directly recruited across different state government departments. He added that recruitment for another 866 sportspersons in the Uttar Pradesh Police is currently underway.
The Chief Minister said the state’s sports policy was designed to connect sporting talent with employment and greater financial security, while encouraging young athletes to pursue competitive sport.
The remarks come as Uttar Pradesh continues to promote sports infrastructure, recruitment and government employment opportunities as part of its broader sports policy. Adityanath said the changes have helped create greater awareness among young people about career opportunities linked to sporting achievements.
