The Laxman Award / Rani Laxmi Bai Award Scheme is a significant sports honour instituted by the Government of Uttar Pradesh to recognize and reward outstanding sportspersons from the state. Under this scheme, male athletes receive the Laxman Award and female athletes receive the Rani Laxmi Bai Award, acknowledging their excellence, achievement, and dedication in various sports disciplines. The scheme aims to encourage athletes to bring glory to Uttar Pradesh by participating at state, national, and international levels.
Introduction to the Scheme
Launched in 2022 by the UP Sports Department, the Laxman / Rani Laxmi Bai Awards are among the highest state-level sporting honors in Uttar Pradesh. The scheme honors those players who meet stringent performance and eligibility criteria, rewarding them with recognition, financial incentives, and symbolic tokens to appreciate their contributions. The initiative supports the state’s goals of promoting sports, nurturing talent, and increasing participation in competitive sports.
Objectives of the Award
The primary objectives of the Laxman Award / Rani Laxmi Bai Award Scheme include:
- Recognizing excellence in sports: To acknowledge athletes who perform exceptionally in competitions at state, national, or international levels.
- Encouraging youth sports participation: To motivate young athletes to strive for excellence by providing visible rewards.
- Strengthening sports culture: To build a sustained sporting environment in Uttar Pradesh, supporting athletes over time.
- Financial encouragement: To provide cash incentives that help athletes with training, equipment, and other related expenses.
- Promoting gender equality: By having separate awards for male (Laxman) and female (Rani Laxmi Bai) athletes, the scheme highlights fairness and inclusivity in sports.
Key Features of the Scheme
Here are the major components that make this award scheme notable:
- Cash Reward: Recipients receive ₹3,11,000 as a cash prize. (Govt Schemes India)
- Citation, Bronze Statue, and Scroll: Apart from monetary benefit, awardees are honored with a citation, a bronze statue of Laxman (for male athletes) or Rani Laxmi Bai (for female athletes), and a scroll of honour. (Govt Schemes India)
- Wide Coverage of Sports: The award recognizes performance in 31 sports disciplines, including athletics, badminton, boxing, wrestling, table tennis, swimming, shooting, hockey, and many more. (janabhaaratii.org.in)
- Categories: There are three categories: General, Veteran, and Disability. These categories ensure broad recognition and inclusivity. (Govt Schemes India)
Eligibility Criteria
To receive the Laxman / Rani Laxmi Bai Award, athletes must fulfill the following criteria:
- Must be a bonafide resident of Uttar Pradesh. (Govt Schemes India)
- Must have been a member of the state senior team for at least three consecutive years. (janabhaaratii.org.in)
- Must have participated in national level competitions or national senior championships, and in the specific award year must have won a medal. (janabhaaratii.org.in)
- Athletes participating in international events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games etc. may also be eligible. (janabhaaratii.org.in)
- For the Veteran category, there is an upper age limit (generally not exceeding 40 years) though some relaxations may apply. (Govt Schemes India)
- The athlete should not have been found guilty of doping or any disqualifying conduct, often required to submit an affidavit or similar declaration. (Govt Schemes India)
Documents Required
Applicants for this award typically need to submit:
- Proof of identity and Uttar Pradesh residence (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, etc.). (janabhaaratii.org.in)
- Records of sporting achievements: certificates of medals at state, national, international competitions. (janabhaaratii.org.in)
- Domicile certificate. (janabhaaratii.org.in)
- Birth certificate or age proof. (janabhaaratii.org.in)
- Bank account details for payment of the cash reward. (Govt Schemes India)
- Passport-size photograph. (janabhaaratii.org.in)
- If applicable, disability certificate for those applying under the Disability category. (Govt Schemes India)
How to Apply
The application process is primarily offline, though details are released by the Department of Sports, Uttar Pradesh when the notifications are made. Key steps typically include:
- Notification Release: The UP Sports Department publishes eligibility, timelines, sports included, and application forms in official notifications. (janabhaaratii.org.in)
- Offline Submission: Eligible athletes fill the application form, attach required documents, and submit at designated district or state sports offices. (Govt Schemes India)
- Verification: The department verifies the achievements, documents, residence, and other eligibility criteria.
- Selection and Award Ceremony: Selected athletes are conferred the award in formal ceremonies, such as on Uttar Pradesh Diwas or other state functions. (Hindustan Times)
Benefits of the Award
The scheme offers several important benefits:
- Monetary Support: ₹3,11,000 in cash is a substantial incentive for athletes to continue their training and competition efforts. (Govt Schemes India)
- Recognition: The bronze statue, scroll, and citation add to the prestige, enhancing the reputation of the sportsperson in their field.
- Boosting Morale: Public recognition helps motivate both awardees and younger athletes.
- Encouraging Sports Culture: Awards like these help foster a stronger sports culture in the state, pushing more youth to take up sports.
- Inclusivity: By having Disability and Veteran categories, the scheme ensures broader recognition across different segments.
Challenges and Areas of Improvement
While the scheme is laudable, there are some challenges and possible improvements:
- Awareness: Many eligible sportspersons may not be informed about the scheme or the application process.
- Timely Notifications: Ensuring that notification of the scheme is released well ahead of time so athletes can prepare their applications.
- Verification Delays: Document verification and validation of achievements takes time, which can delay award disbursal.
- Support Post-Award: Some athletes may need continued support—training, access to facilities—beyond just receiving awards.
Impact So Far
- Since its inception, many sportspersons from Uttar Pradesh have been honored with these awards, boosting their visibility and motivating others. (Hindustan Times)
- The increase in the cash reward—from earlier smaller amounts to ₹3.11 lakh—demonstrates the state’s increasing commitment to sports and athletes. (The Times of India)
- The scheme has become a symbol of state pride and an aspirational goal for athletes aiming to represent UP at national and international competitions.
Conclusion
The Laxman Award / Rani Laxmi Bai Award Scheme is more than just an award—it’s a strong signal from the Government of Uttar Pradesh that excellence in sports will be valued, rewarded, and publicly honored. For many athletes, this scheme offers not only recognition and financial reward but also a sense of validation for their hard work and dedication.
By ensuring fair eligibility, generous rewards, and broad participation across 31 sports disciplines, the scheme encourages more youth to engage in sports, helps discover new talent, and strengthens UP’s presence in the national sports scenario.
For current and aspiring athletes from Uttar Pradesh, this award is a benchmark—an achievement that brings honor, support, and a platform to shine at higher levels.