Indian cricketer Rinku Singh is set to be appointed as a Regional Sports Officer (RSO) by the Uttar Pradesh Government. India Today reported that the Indian cricketer will be rewarded for his strong performances and dedication to the Suryakumar Yadav-led T20 World Cup 2026-winning side.
Rinku went through a very tough time during the tournament. His father was seriously ill and later passed away due to Stage IV cancer. During this period, Rinku kept travelling between team duties and Greater Noida, where his father was being treated.
The state government has also announced a big reward scheme for sportspersons. Under this plan, athletes who perform well at national and international levels will be given government jobs, cash rewards, and honours.
ALSO READ: IPL 2026: RCB announces 11-seat tribute for stampede victims across all games
Who all will be rewarded by the UP government?
Along with Rinku, Rajkumar Pal, who was part of India’s bronze medal-winning hockey team at the Paris Olympics, will be appointed as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). He is from Ghazipur.
ALSO READ: KKR announce left-arm pacer with 0 wickets in 3 T20s as Akash Deep's replacement
In total, six international medal-winning athletes will be given government jobs. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will hand over the appointment letters at a ceremony in Lok Bhavan.
Paralympic high jump gold medallist Praveen Kumar from Gautam Buddh Nagar will also be appointed as a DSP. Javelin throw silver medallist Ajit Singh from Etawah will become a District Panchayat Raj Officer.
Similarly, 200m bronze medallist Simran from Ghaziabad will also get the same post. Preetipal from Muzaffarnagar, who won two bronze medals in the 100m and 200m events, will be appointed as a Block Development Officer (BDO).
At the same event, nine players will be honoured with the Lakshman Award and the Rani Lakshmibai Award for 2024–25. Each award includes a cash prize of Rs 3.11 lakh and a bronze statue.
The government will also distribute a total cash reward of Rs 1.64 crore among 14 players. In addition, 19 athletes will receive financial support worth Rs 8.75 lakh under the Eklavya Sports Fund.
Lakshman Award (General Category) recipients:
Uttam Singh (Ghazipur) – Hockey
Vinay (Varanasi) – Para powerlifting
Abhijeet Kumar (Prayagraj) – Gymnastics
Vikrant Balian (Meerut) – Wrestling
Sagar Dangi (Baghpat) – Shooting
Rani Lakshmibai Award (General Category) recipients:
Bhanu Pathak (Gorakhpur) – Mountaineering
Deepak Kumar (Ghaziabad) – Mountaineering
Tanya Chaudhary (Saharanpur) – Athletics
Tanushree Pandey (Lucknow) – Soft tennis
Om Yadav – Soft tennis
Rajkumar Pal (Ghazipur) – Hockey
Yash Kumar (Agra) – Para canoeing
Muskan Yadav (Prayagraj) – Soft tennis
Abhay Singh (Varanasi) – Kayaking and canoeing
Rani Lakshmibai Award (Para Category):
Key names include Shravan Kumar (Baghpat), Yash Tomar (Baghpat), and Ishan Khan (Baghpat).
Athletes such as Pragati Kesarwani (Lucknow) and Vantika Agarwal (Gautam Buddh Nagar) are also among those being honoured.