In a significant move to honor sporting excellence, the Bihar government has officially appointed Indian national cricket team players Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar as Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP). The appointment ceremony took place on 24 July in Patna, where Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary personally handed over the appointment letters to the two fast bowlers. This initiative is part of the state government's 'Medal Lao, Naukri Pao' (Bring a Medal, Get a Job) scheme, which aims to provide secure government employment to athletes who bring laurels to the state and the country through their performances in various sports disciplines.
Grand Ceremony at Urja Auditorium
The appointment letters were distributed during a high-profile event organized at the Urja Auditorium in Patna. The ceremony was attended by several top dignitaries, including Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, and Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh, while the presence of these leaders underscored the state's commitment to fostering a culture of sports and supporting local talent. Along with the two cricketers, athlete Piyush Raj was also honored and appointed to the position of Police Sub-Inspector (SI). The event served as a platform to recognize the hard work and dedication of Bihar's sporting icons who have represented the nation on international stages.
Broad Support for Athletes Under State Schemes
The 'Medal Lao, Naukri Pao' scheme isn't limited to a few high-profile names. During the same program at the Urja Auditorium, a total of 19 players were handed appointment letters for various government services. This group included athlete Piyush Raj and five para-athletes, along with players from different sports backgrounds, while chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also distributed sports scholarship selection letters and cash rewards to deserving candidates. The Bihar government highlighted its consistent efforts in this direction, noting that over the past 2 years, a total of 180 players who performed exceptionally in various sports have been recruited into different government departments. This systematic approach is designed to ensure that athletes have a stable career path beyond their active sporting years.
Financial Rewards for Exceptional Achievements
The ceremony also featured the distribution of significant financial rewards to athletes who achieved success in international competitions. 50 lakh rupees for winning a Gold Medal in the Asian Under-23 and a Silver Medal in the Athletics Championship 2026. Also, athlete Vibhaskar Kumar received a reward of 2 lakh rupees for his participation and performance in the same event. These rewards are part of the Bihar government's policy to provide immediate financial appreciation to players, encouraging them to strive for higher goals and providing them with the necessary resources to continue their training and development.
Current Status and Future Outlook for Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar
While their appointment as DSPs marks a major milestone in their professional lives outside the field, both Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar are focused on making a strong comeback to the Indian national team. Currently, both fast bowlers are out of the national squad. Akash Deep faced a challenging period recently as he was ruled out of the entire IPL 2026 season due to an injury. His recovery and return to the field are being closely monitored by fans and selectors alike. On the other hand, Mukesh Kumar represented Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026, but his performance didn't quite meet the high expectations set for him. Both players are now looking to use this new stability in their lives to refocus on their cricketing careers and earn their spots back in the national side for upcoming international assignments.
