Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has highlighted the state government’s initiatives to promote women in sports, stating that athletes who secure medals at major competitions are being offered direct recruitment under the Padak Lao, Pad Pao scheme.
Extending Navratri greetings, Adityanath invoked Maa Katyayani as a symbol of courage, determination, and valour. He stated that Uttar Pradesh has experienced a transformation in sports infrastructure and opportunities since 2017, accompanied by greater overall support for athletes.
In a post on social media, the chief minister alleged that prior to 2017, women faced an environment characterized by fear and lawlessness, while limited opportunities restricted their sporting ambitions. He also claimed that sports grounds were previously under the influence of mafias and that young women lacked the institutional backing required to pursue their goals.
Adityanath noted that sports infrastructure has expanded significantly over the past nine and a half years, growing from village playgrounds and block-level mini stadiums to district stadiums, divisional sports colleges, and the Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Meerut.
He added that medal winners at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games are receiving substantial cash rewards worth lakhs and crores of rupees, alongside direct employment opportunities through the Padak Lao, Pad Pao initiative.
The chief minister cited several prominent women athletes from Uttar Pradesh who have established themselves at national and international levels. These include athletes Parul Chaudhary, Priyanka Goswami, Prachi Chaudhary, and Annu Rani; judoka Asmita Dey; cricketers Deepti Sharma and Meghna Singh; hockey player Vandana Kataria; and wrestler Divya Kakran.
Adityanath emphasized that their achievements at the Commonwealth and Asian Games have brought significant recognition to both Uttar Pradesh and India. He connected the state’s broader sports initiatives directly to women’s empowerment, asserting that improved infrastructure and institutional support are actively helping women fulfill their athletic ambitions.