Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurates 2nd All India Police Badminton Cluster Tournament 2025-26 in Lucknow
Lucknow: UP CM Yogi Adityanath delivered an inspiring message to athletes while inaugurating the 2nd All India Police Badminton Cluster Tournament (Badminton and Table Tennis) 2025-26 at the Babu Banarasi Das UP Badminton Academy in Gomtinagar on Saturday.
Addressing players, the Chief Minister compared the spirit of badminton with life itself, saying, “Just as players do not allow the shuttlecock to fall in badminton, similarly, one should never allow dreams and determination to break in life.”
The five-day national-level tournament has drawn nearly 1,400 players from across the country and is being hosted in Uttar Pradesh for the first time.
During the inauguration ceremony, CM Yogi also played badminton with participants, unveiled the event souvenir, and watched a short film showcasing Uttar Pradesh’s achievements in sports and athlete development. The 35th Battalion PAC band presented a musical performance, while athlete Kapil Chaudhary administered the oath to the players.
Highlighting the importance of sports in character-building, the Chief Minister said that games teach discipline, determination, quick decision-making, and resilience in adverse situations. “Every medal carries a story of struggle and the resolve to never give up. Talent may provide the beginning, but hard work takes a person to the destination,” he said.
Referring to India’s ancient sporting traditions, CM Yogi spoke about indigenous sports such as kabaddi, wrestling, kho-kho, archery, mallakhamb, sword fighting, and chess, calling them integral to Indian culture for centuries. He explained that a healthy body leads to a healthy mind and strong character, which ultimately contributes to nation-building.
Drawing inspiration from Indian mythology, the Chief Minister described Arjuna as a symbol of concentration, discipline, and dedication, while Balarama represented strength and balance. He said the double-engine government is promoting sports by drawing inspiration from these traditional ideals.
The Chief Minister also emphasized that sports teach lessons that cannot always be found in textbooks. “The sports field shapes personalities through discipline, commitment, and practical strategy,” he remarked.
Speaking about the transformation of sports infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh, CM Yogi said that before 2017, many stadiums lacked even basic facilities, tracks were damaged, swimming pools remained dry, and talented athletes were neglected. “Earlier, talents used to die waiting in lists, but now that situation has changed,” he said.
He highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the state government, including two percent horizontal reservation in government jobs for sportspersons and transparent recruitment and promotion policies. According to him, 534 international and national-level athletes have received direct appointments in Uttar Pradesh Police and other departments, while recruitment for 546 more players is currently underway.
The Chief Minister cited the examples of hockey stars Lalit Upadhyay and Rajkumar Pal, who contributed to India’s Olympic medal-winning campaigns, and long-distance runner Parul Chaudhary, who won a medal in the Asian Games 5000 metres event, stating that all had been appointed as Deputy Superintendents of Police in Uttar Pradesh.
He also mentioned that gold medal-winning constables Priyanshi Prajapati and Pushpa, who excelled in the Asian Championship 2024-25, were directly promoted to the rank of Inspector. “These names are proof of trust. Today, an unbreakable bond has been formed between khaki and sports,” he said.
CM Yogi further noted that the government is developing sports infrastructure across the state by ensuring playgrounds in every gram panchayat, mini stadiums at the block level, and stadiums in every district. He expressed confidence that the tournament would strengthen sports culture and inspire the youth of Uttar Pradesh and the country.
Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna welcomed the guests at the event.
Several senior officials and dignitaries attended the inauguration, including Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, Additional Director General (SIB) Vineeta Sharma, Additional Director General (PAC) Dr RK Swarnkar, Chief Minister’s Advisor Avanish Awasthi, Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association President Navneet Sehgal, Chairman Viraj Sagar Das, and Inspector General PAC (Central Zone) and Secretary of UP Police Sports Control Board Dr Pritinder Singh.
