Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Manipur will now hire silver and bronze medalists for government jobs. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh announced the expanded recruitment policy at the Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium in Imphal on Saturday. The state previously reserved these positions only for gold medalists.
Officials handed out appointment letters to 71 National Games gold medalists to serve as Physical Education Teachers. Four additional athletes joined the Home Department, alongside three Asian Games medalists. Khemchand, who holds a fifth-degree black belt in Taekwondo, noted the policy shift aims to support the sporting community. He stated, "The new policy would also allow silver and bronze medalists to be considered for state government jobs."
The ceremony also honored athletes from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026. Weightlifting gold medalist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu earned Rs 20 lakh and a certificate. Silver medalists Chanambam Rishikanta Singh and boxer Mayengbam Jadumani Singh each received Rs 15 lakh, while weightlifter Sorokhaibam Bindyarani Devi took home Rs 10 lakh for her bronze performance. Other Glasgow participants received Rs 4 lakh each.
Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho and Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel attended the event alongside coaches and local officials. Goel praised the state for its deep sporting roots. The government intends to fill these roles through a transparent, merit-based process to boost morale for future international competitions.
Updated at 23rd August 2026 at 1:48am
The state government also bumped up cash rewards for Commonwealth Games participants to push performance standards. Coaches who trained the Glasgow contingent earned formal recognition during the event as well. The ceremony served as a formal send-off for Mirabai Chanu, who headed back to her training base immediately after the event to prep for the upcoming Asian Games.
Official records clarified the medal breakdown for the weightlifting team: Chanambam Rishikanta Singh claimed his silver in the men's 60kg class, marking him as the state's first male international weightlifting medallist. Boxer Mayengbam Jadumani Singh snagged his silver in the 55kg category, while Sorokhaibam Bindyarani Devi took bronze in the 58kg division.
The event drew a crowd of local power players, including legislators and National Sports University Vice Chancellor Daljit Singh Chawdhary. Khemchand credited the ongoing success of local athletes to the grit of local sports clubs and the families backing them through tough times.
Updated at 23rd August 2026 at 1:48pm
Records now specify that the 71 appointed Physical Education Teachers earned their gold medals during the 36th and 37th National Games. The Chief Minister confirmed the state Cabinet has officially cleared the new recruitment framework, moving it beyond a general proposal to an authorized policy.
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