Government to give jobs for 83 more athletes

Thiruvananthapuram: A cabinet meeting held here decided to induct 83 more athletes who won silver and bronze medals in 35th National Games, by creating super numerary posts through General Administration Department.

Earlier, 63 players who won gold in team items and who won silver and bronze in individual items were given posting in LD clerk positions.  As 83 more athletes are inducted, all the 151 athletes will have government jobs.

Minister EP Jayarajan said that though the previous government had offered jobs in public sector undertakings for athletes who won silver and bronze medals in team items, the promise was not kept.

Due to technical reasons, they cannot be inducted in public sector undertakings. Hence, these players are being inducted to government service.

So far, the government has appointed 169 athletes under sports quota.   Rank list has been published to appoint 248 more athletes. The appointment process is in its last phase.  Application will be invited soon for appointments for 2015-18 period.

Swimmer Sajan Prakash, Shooter Elizabeth Susan Koshi, athletes R. Anu and Anida Thomas were given appointment in gazetted ranks.

CK Ratheesh, member of the State volley-ball team that won the national championship team, was appointed in KINFRA.

CK Vineeth who was dismissed from AG's office has been given the job of secretariat assistant. Kabadi player PK Rajimol and PK Shaiban who participated in Special Olympics were also given jobs.

Former national hockey player VD Shakunthala, who was earning livelihood as street hawker at Thiruvananthapuram Palayam market, was given appointment as sweeper in sports department directorate.

The government has also decided to employ jobless members of Santosh Trophy champion team, who brought the trophy to the state after a gap of 14 years, and players who won medals in Asian Games held at Jakarta, the minister said.