Indian cricketer Rinku Singh has received a major honor from the Uttar Pradesh government. The state government has appointed him as a Regional Sports Officer while he continues his professional cricket career.
The recognition comes as a reward for Rinku Singh’s contributions to Indian cricket. Even as he receives this government role, the 28-year-old remains active in cricket and is currently preparing for the upcoming IPL 2026 season with Kolkata Knight Riders.
UP Government Appoints Rinku Singh as Regional Sports Officer
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced that Rinku Singh will be appointed as a Regional Sports Officer. The official appointment letter will be presented by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during a felicitation ceremony at Lok Bhavan in Lucknow.
The government said the appointment is meant to honor Rinku Singh’s achievements and contributions to Indian cricket.
Rinku has represented India in 45 international matches and has scored 655 runs with an impressive strike rate of 155.73.
Rinku Singh International Career Snapshot
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches for India | 45 |
| Total Runs | 655 |
| Strike Rate | 155.73 |
The recognition also comes during a difficult personal phase for Rinku Singh, as he recently traveled between cricket commitments and Greater Noida while his father Khanchandra Singh battled Stage IV cancer.
Rinku to Attend Ceremony During IPL 2026 Preparations
Rinku Singh is currently part of Kolkata Knight Riders’ preparations for IPL 2026. The franchise has allowed him to leave the training camp for one day so he can attend the government ceremony in Lucknow.
After the event, he will return to the KKR squad to continue preparations for the new IPL season.
KKR IPL 2026 Early Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians vs KKR | March 29 | Wankhede Stadium |
| KKR vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | April 2 | Eden Gardens |
KKR will begin their campaign with an away match against Mumbai Indians before returning to Kolkata for their first home game.
Also See : Sahibzada Farhan Wins ICC Player of the Month After Record-Breaking T20 World Cup 2026
Expected Salary for Regional Sports Officer
The UP government has not released the official salary details for Rinku Singh’s new role.
However, Regional Sports Officers usually receive a standard government pay scale.
Estimated Salary Structure
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Salary | ₹35,400 |
| Estimated Total Salary | ₹50,000 – ₹60,000 (with allowances) |
This role will give Rinku financial stability while he continues his cricket career.
Rinku Singh Performance in T20 World Cup 2026
Rinku Singh also featured in India’s campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. During the tournament he contributed with quick runs in several matches.
Rinku Singh – Match-wise Performance
| Match | Runs |
|---|---|
| India vs USA | 6 |
| India vs Namibia | 1 |
| India vs Pakistan | 11* |
| India vs Netherlands | 6* |
| India vs South Africa | 0 |
While his scores were brief, Rinku played the role of a finishing batter in the middle and lower order.
Yogi Adityanath to Honor Top Athletes
The felicitation ceremony in Lucknow will also recognize several other outstanding athletes.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will present the prestigious Laxman Award and Rani Laxmibai Award to nine athletes for their achievements.
Award Benefits
| Award Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Trophy | Bronze statue |
| Certificate | Certificate of honor |
| Prize Money | ₹3.11 lakh |
Among the award recipients are hockey player Uttam Singh, gymnast Abhijit Kumar, para-canoeing athlete Yash Kumar, and chess player Vantika Agrawal.
The state government will also support 19 young athletes through the Eklavya Sports Fund.
Other Athletes Receive Government Positions
Along with Rinku Singh, several other international medal-winning athletes will also receive government roles in Uttar Pradesh.
New Government Appointments
| Athlete | Sport | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Rajkumar Pal | Hockey | Deputy Superintendent of Police |
| Praveen Kumar | Para High Jump | Deputy Superintendent of Police |
| Ajit Singh | Para Javelin | District Panchayat Raj Officer |
| Simran | Para Sprint | District Panchayat Raj Officer |
| Preetipal | Para Sprint | Block Development Officer |
These appointments are part of the Uttar Pradesh government’s initiative to support athletes who have brought pride to the country.
The UP government believes that providing administrative roles to successful athletes helps secure their future and encourages more young people to pursue sports careers.
By honoring athletes like Rinku Singh and offering government positions, the state aims to build stronger support for sports development and recognize achievements on the international stage.
Rinku Singh will now balance both roles, serving as a Regional Sports Officer while continuing his cricket career with Kolkata Knight Riders and the Indian team.
