IMPHAL | The Manipur government has expanded its sports recruitment policy to include silver and bronze medallists for state government jobs, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh announced on Saturday.

The announcement came as the government appointed 71 National Games gold medallists as Physical Education Teachers under the Youth Affairs and Sports Department. Appointment letters were distributed to the athletes at a programme organised by the department at the Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium in Imphal.

The new policy marks an expansion of the state’s existing sports quota, under which government employment had primarily been extended to gold medallists. Khemchand said eligible silver and bronze medallists would now also be considered for recruitment based on merit and through a transparent selection process.

Athletes felicitated

The Chief Minister also felicitated Manipuri athletes who represented India at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026, including weightlifting gold medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu. Chanu, who returned to Imphal to attend the programme amid preparations for the upcoming Asian Games, was awarded a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh and a certificate of recognition.

Weightlifter Chanambam Rishikanta Singh, who won silver in the 60-kg category, and boxer Mayengbam Jadumani Singh, who secured silver in the 55-kg category, received Rs 15 lakh each.

Weightlifter Sorokhaibam Bindyarani Devi, who won bronze in the 58-kg category, was awarded Rs 10 lakh.

Other athletes who participated in the Glasgow Games received Rs 4 lakh each, along with certificates. Coaches accompanying the athletes were also felicitated. The state government said the prize money for Commonwealth Games medallists and participants had been increased to encourage athletes and recognise their performances.

More athletes appointed

Apart from the 71 National Games gold medallists appointed as Physical Education Teachers, appointment letters were also handed over to four athletes under the Home Department and three Asian Games medallists under the same department.

Khemchand said Manipur’s athletes had helped project a positive image of the state through their performances at the Glasgow Games. He also acknowledged the contribution of local sports clubs, families, coaches and athletes in nurturing sporting talent in the state.

The Chief Minister, who holds a fifth-degree black belt in Taekwondo, said his own sporting background had given him an understanding of the challenges faced by athletes and the importance of supporting them. Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho and Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel attended the programme.

Goel highlighted Manipur’s longstanding sporting culture and its contribution to producing athletes who have represented both the state and the country at national and international competitions. The event was also attended by legislators, National Sports University Vice Chancellor Daljit Singh Chawdhary, officials of the Youth Affairs and Sports Department, coaches and sportspersons.