UP government appoints Rinku Singh as Regional Sports Officer, CM Yogi Adityanath praises move

Rinku Singh has been appointed as a regional sports officer by the government of Uttar Pradesh, a move that was praised by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Highlighting the state’s efforts to support athletes, Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh is the first state in the country to prioritise sportspersons in government jobs.

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“UP is the first state in the country to give athletes priority in government service. So far, we have provided appointment letters to over 500 athletes for various police positions. For his performance in cricket and the Asian Games, Rinku Singh has been given an appointment letter as a regional sports officer. He is currently part of an IPL camp, so he has gone there,” he said.

Rinku’s coach, Masooduzzafar Amin, also welcomed the decision, stating that it would inspire young cricketers and strengthen the sporting ecosystem in the state.

“The UP government has given him the job, and I thank them for this. The decision will motivate young players to take up the sport. We have high expectations from Rinku as an officer, and he will contribute to strengthening sports,” he told IANS.

The Uttar Pradesh government is also set to provide employment to six international medallists. These include hockey player Rajkumar Pal, part of India’s bronze medal-winning team at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Javelin thrower Ajit Singh and sprinter Simran will be appointed as District Panchayat Raj Officers, while Paralympic gold medallist Praveen Kumar will take up the role of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

Rinku, 28, is currently part of the three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders, where he will serve as vice-captain in the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026. Known for his explosive batting and sharp fielding, he has been a key performer for the franchise and brings valuable leadership experience from domestic and IPL cricket.

Led by Ajinkya Rahane, KKR will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29. Their first home game will be against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens on April 2, followed by fixtures against Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants on April 6 and 9, respectively.

Rinku recently returned from international duty, having been part of India’s World Cup-winning squad that defeated New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad. However, the tournament was personally challenging for him, as he lost his father during the competition.