Patna: Bihar’s ‘Medal Lao, Naukri Pao’ scheme has helped 181 sportspersons secure government jobs over the past two years, turning sporting achievements into career opportunities. The beneficiaries include 86 women and 95 men, with women accounting for nearly half of all appointments under the scheme.
The initiative aims to reward athletes who win medals at national and international competitions by providing them opportunities for direct recruitment to government posts, subject to the prescribed rules. Appointments have included positions such as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), sub-inspector, Panchayati Raj officer and other suitable government roles.
The scheme offers athletes a route to financial security alongside their sporting careers. It also highlights the growing role of women in competitive sports, particularly in a state where female athletes have faced social criticism and limited access to resources.
Bihar’s ‘Medal Lao, Naukri Pao’ Scheme Creates Career Opportunities
The central objective of the scheme is to recognise sporting excellence and provide employment opportunities to medal-winning athletes. By linking sports achievements with government recruitment, Bihar seeks to encourage young people to pursue competitive sports while offering a possible career beyond active competition.
The appointment of athletes to government positions can also help them continue contributing to sports and public service. Depending on their roles, experienced sportspersons can support sports administration, coaching and the development of future talent.
The scheme is part of a broader effort to support athletes through employment, financial assistance, training and development opportunities. Alongside job appointments, the state has initiatives such as Prerna, Saksham and Utkarsh to help eligible sportspersons progress in their careers.
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Women Account for Nearly Half of the Beneficiaries
Of the 181 athletes who secured government jobs over two years, 86 are women and 95 are men. The figures show that women make up a substantial share of the beneficiaries.
The programme’s impact is reflected in the experiences of athletes who faced social barriers before establishing themselves in competitive sports. Their journeys also demonstrate how employment opportunities can influence attitudes towards girls participating in sports.
For women athletes, a government job can offer greater financial independence and recognition. Their achievements may also encourage families to support their daughters in pursuing sports professionally.
The experiences of rugby player Sapna Kumari, footballer Shyam Rani and athletics coach Komal Kumari illustrate different aspects of this changing sporting environment.
Sapna Kumari: From Social Criticism to Sports Service
Rugby player Sapna Kumari said she faced social opposition and a shortage of resources during the early years of her sporting journey. In her village, people taunted her for wearing shorts while playing, but her mother continued to encourage her.
Her achievements at the national level helped her establish herself as an athlete. In 2022, she won gold medals in three events at a competition held at Patliputra Sports Complex, after which she secured a government job.
Sapna currently works as a sub-inspector with the Bihar State Sports Authority. She said the appointment changed how people in her village and community viewed her sporting career.
According to her, people who once criticised her have become more accepting, and some now encourage their daughters to take up sports. Her experience illustrates how recognition and employment can help challenge social barriers faced by women athletes.
Shyam Rani’s Journey in Women’s Football
Footballer Shyam Rani, from Itahari village in Munger district, began her sporting journey in 2008. Despite social criticism, she continued playing with the support of her family.
She has represented the Indian women’s football team and served as captain of Punjab FC in the Indian Women’s League. She is currently employed through the sports quota and contributes to sporting activities at the Bihar State Sports Authority.
Shyam Rani said government support, improved training facilities and the growth of sports clubs have created more opportunities for girls.
Her journey shows how access to competitive platforms and employment can help women sustain long-term careers in sports. It also highlights the importance of family support and institutional backing in helping athletes progress from local participation to higher levels of competition.
Financial Assistance Supports Training and Performance
Komal Kumari, an athletics coach with the Bihar State Sports Authority, said the state previously faced gaps in sports infrastructure and government support. She noted that facilities and assistance for athletes and coaches have improved with support from the sports department and the authority.
She also highlighted the Prerna, Saksham and Utkarsh schemes, under which eligible athletes may receive financial assistance ranging from ₹3 lakh to ₹20 lakh, according to the provisions described.
Such assistance can help meet expenses related to training, nutrition and education. These needs can place considerable pressure on athletes and their families, particularly when they compete at higher levels.
Financial support, alongside coaching and suitable facilities, can help athletes prepare more effectively and continue their development. Employment opportunities provide another form of security, especially for those seeking to build a stable career around their sporting experience.
Athletes Such as Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar Also Enter Public Service
Bihar’s approach to recognising sporting achievement has also included prominent cricketers. Indian fast bowlers Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar were appointed as Deputy Superintendents of Police based on their sporting performances.
Their appointments underline how achievements in professional sports can open opportunities in public service. They also bring greater visibility to the link between sporting excellence and government employment.
For aspiring athletes, the combination of job opportunities, financial assistance and training support can make a sporting career appear more sustainable. However, appointments and financial benefits remain subject to the eligibility conditions and rules of the respective schemes.
Building a Stronger Sporting Ecosystem in Bihar
Bihar’s ‘Medal Lao, Naukri Pao’ scheme connects sporting achievements with employment, while other initiatives aim to support training and athlete development. Together, these measures seek to address both the immediate needs of sportspersons and their longer-term career prospects.
The participation of women among the beneficiaries is particularly significant. Athletes such as Sapna Kumari and Shyam Rani show how sporting success, family encouragement and institutional support can help women move beyond social barriers.
As Bihar continues to develop its sports ecosystem, sustained investment in facilities, coaching and transparent access to opportunities will remain important. The broader aim is to help athletes compete at higher levels while giving them a realistic pathway to financial independence and careers beyond the playing field.
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