Lucknow, March 24 -- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath distributed appointment letters and cash awards to international medal-winning athletes, recognising their achievements and contributions to the state's sports culture.

During the event, CM Yogi Adityanath addressed the gathering and spoke about the significant progress made in sports development in the state, particularly under his government's leadership.

He said, "There was a time when players had talent but no platform, nor were there sports fields. Land mafias had encroached upon the sports fields. The government's budget money was being lost to corruption."

He highlighted the government's efforts to make sports a priority, both in the state and nationwide. "In the ...