The Hindu : Sport : More sports quota appointments

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 10, 2004

Sport

Sport - Sports : General

More sports quota appointments

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, DEC. 9. The Kerala Government has decided to appoint 60 sportspersons into the State service during the current financial year.

Announcing this at an official reception accorded to the Kerala team, which recently regained the Santosh Trophy, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that this would be further to the 100 appointments that the Government has promised to make, under the sports quota, before December 17.

Mr. Chandy, who presented a cheque of Rs. 50,000 to each member of the winning team, also emphasised that sports in Kerala still had a long way to go. The Government, he said, was aware about the lack of suitable infrastructure in various parts of the State. "The Government despite all the financial constraints being faced by it would be addressing this problem soon," he said.

The Chief Minister said every State in the country had a defined role to play in ensuring that India was placed firmly on the world sports map. "Today, excellence in sports and games is an important yardstick to gauge whether a country is on the road to development. A good example on this account is the vast strides made by China in the field of sports. The Indian athletes, given the facilities, are also capable of excelling in the international scene."

In his presidential address, the Sports Minister, Dominic Presentation, drew the attention of the house on the various steps being taken by the Government to improve the standard of sports and games in the State. He said it was still unfortunate that the renowned National champion rower, Sobhini, had committed suicide.

The Government, he said, has decided to suitably employ Sobhini's mother in the State service. Already, a cheque of Rs. 3.68 lakhs has been handed over the family of the deceased rower. Steps would be taken to disburse the cash awards to the sportspersons without delay.

The function was also attended by the Forests Minister, K.P. Viswanathan, the Labour Minister, Babu Divakaran, the Culture Minister, A.P. Anil Kumar, the KSC president, C. Mohanachandran, the KFA president, K.M.I. Mather and a host of Government and sports officials and sports enthusiasts.

The team captain, Sylvester Ignatius, presented a football, autographed by all members of the team, each to the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues. — Our Special Correspondent

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