Bihar Government Launches 'Medal Lao Naukri Pao' Initiative to Support Athletes
Bihar's New Initiative for Athletes
Patna (Bihar) [India], July 24: On Friday, Bihar's Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary presented appointment letters to 19 athletes as part of the state government's 'Medal Lao Naukri Pao' initiative. This program aims to motivate sportspeople by offering direct government jobs in recognition of their achievements at national and international levels.
During an event at the Urja Auditorium in Patna, CM Choudhary emphasized that this scheme represents a transformative approach to acknowledging sporting excellence in Bihar.
“Today is a remarkable day for Bihar. Through the 'Medal Lao Naukri Pao' initiative, we are providing appointment letters to 19 athletes. Previously, it was believed that education was the only path to government employment. However, this is the first time the Bihar Government is granting a DSP position to an athlete without requiring them to take an exam. This will inspire many sportspersons. They are now becoming Sub Inspectors and DSPs, whereas in the past, only peon roles were offered in lower grades. The Bihar Government stands firmly with any Bihari who represents the nation and brings pride to our state,” CM Choudhary stated.
In addition to the appointment letters, the Chief Minister also distributed sports scholarship selection letters to athletes who have excelled in various competitions.
Following the event, Choudhary took to social media to express the government's dedication to discovering sporting talent at the grassroots level and developing world-class facilities to enable athletes to compete on prestigious platforms like the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Cup, and IPL.
The Bihar State Sports Authority has indicated that the 'Medal Lao Naukri Pao' initiative offers direct government employment to athletes who secure medals in national and international competitions. Exceptional sportspersons are appointed to senior government roles, including Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Sub-Inspector, and Panchayati Raj Officer, without the need for standard competitive exams.
This policy has also benefited Indian cricketers Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar, who were appointed as Deputy Superintendents of Police in Bihar after their representation in the Indian men's cricket team.
Shreyasi Singh, the former India shooter and Bihar Sports Minister, hailed the event as a significant milestone for the state's sports ecosystem.
“This is a pivotal moment in Bihar's journey from obscurity to prominence. Athletes from Bihar are being recognized with scholarships and job opportunities, securing their futures. As we enhance our infrastructure with initiatives like Eklavya and Mashaal, we are also nurturing amateur athletes. The dream of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games could soon become a reality for Bihar,” Singh remarked.
The Bihar government has announced plans to further develop sports infrastructure throughout the state while enhancing pathways for talented athletes through scholarships, job opportunities, and grassroots development programs.