Sportspersons to be provided opportunities for direct recruitment in govt jobs: CM BSY

Bengaluru: Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said that 2 per cent of all directly recruited jobs in the police, forest and health departments will be reserved for sportspersons.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Hall of Fame at the Karnataka Olympic Association building here he said that the government has already implemented several programs to promote sports and sportspersons. The Cabinet has already decided to reserve 2 per cent direct recruitments in the Police Department for sportspersons. Similarly, efforts are being made to allow direct recruitment of sportspersons in other government departments and corporations.

Governor VR Vala, speaking on the occasion, said that sportspersons need encouragement, there is no shortage of good athletes and sportsperson in India, however, there is a lack of opportunities for them. The responsibility of nurturing and encouraging sportspersons was the responsibility of the respective State governments.

“When there is a lack of funds to promote sports, State governments and industrialists must devote 1% of their money to the promotion of sports or should provide employment to sportspersons,” the governor suggested.

Rajya Sabha member Mallikarjun Kharge said that as cricket has become a rich person’s sport, other sports that areChief Minister BS Yediyurappa, Hall of Fame, Karnataka Olympic Association, Mallikarjun Kharge, Government jobs easily accessible to the masses such as kabbadi and hockey must be encouraged.

Former Chief Minister SM Krishna, Deputy Chief Minister CN Ashwatha Narayan, president of the Karnataka Olympic Association K Govindraj, MLC UB Venkatesh and others were present.