Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the 36th All India Advocates Cricket Tournament at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Sunday. During the event, he emphasized the unifying power of sports and the importance of teamwork in achieving success.
While unveiling the tournament trophies and distributing kits to team captains, Adityanath expressed pride in hosting this significant event in India’s most populous state. He noted that the tournament not only connects various teams but also serves as a source of inspiration for participants and spectators alike.
The Chief Minister highlighted that sports inspire individuals to confront challenges and promote physical and mental well-being. He referred to recent successes in Indian sports, citing that athletes have excelled in competitions like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. “Our players have brought home seven medals from the Olympics and 29 from the Paralympics,” he stated.
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Adityanath also outlined the state government’s efforts to support athletes, including significant cash incentives for medal winners. Gold medalists in individual Olympic events receive ₹6 crore, while silver and bronze medalists are awarded ₹4 crore and ₹2 crore, respectively. The government has already honored 500 athletes who have made the state proud.
In addition to promoting competitive sports, the Chief Minister announced plans to build playgrounds in all 57,000 gram panchayats to encourage youth participation in sports. He underscored the need for positive engagement to steer children away from negative influences.
The tournament features teams from various states, including Allahabad, Andhra Pradesh, and Delhi, among others. Adityanath expressed hope that future editions would include women’s teams, reflecting the growing role of women in sports and leadership.
Key officials present at the event included Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh and several judges from the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court. The Chief Minister concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to advocate welfare, announcing an increase in the Advocate Welfare Fund to ₹500 crore, ensuring better support for families of deceased advocates.
