THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government on Wednesday issued an order which sanctioned the appointment in government services of 68 sportspersons who won medals in individual events or gold in team events representing host Kerala at the 35th National Games 2015.
Among the 68 sportspersons appointed are taekwondo athlete Margrette Maria Regi, cyclists Lidiyamol M Sunny and Kezia Varghese, canoeist Betty Joseph, basketball player Poojamol K S, and fencer C A Bhavani Devi who won gold medals at the 2015 National Games in which Kerala finished runners-up.
“Swimmer Sajan Prakash and shooter Elizabeth Susan Koshy were appointed as armed police inspectors by the LDF Government while athletes Anilda Thomas and Anu R were employed in the Forest Department,” the ministry said. “Steps have been initiated to employ another 83 sportspersons who won silver and bronze medals in the team events during the National Games in public sector companies,” it said. It said that additional posts were created despite only 50 vacancies arise in government services under the sports quota.
According to the order, candidates who have not attained eligible minimum age will be appointed on attainment of 18 years of age. It said that sportspersons qualified with Plus Two or SSLC certificates will be appointed in posts of LD clerk while graduated sportspersons will be appointed and awarded with a notional increment to attain the entry pay drawn in the post of Secretariat Assistant.
The Sports Ministry said the government was also initiating carrying out sports quota appointments which were not done by the previous government. Thirty-one stadiums have been allotted as part of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) project to build stadiums in all 14 districts as well as municipalities and panchayats.