Cabinet decision to create more employment opportunities for sportspersons a milestone: Rana Sodhi

Chandigarh : Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi today expressed gratitude towards the entire Council of Ministers, especially Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for the significant decision taken to create more employment opportunities for the sportspersons.In a press communiqué issued here today, Rana Sodhi said that the Chief Minister has always accord priority to sports and sportspersons in his government’s decisions. “With today’s Cabinet decision, international and national level medal winners would be eligible for the recruitment on group A and B posts”, said the sports minister.Rana Sodhi said that the Cabinet has decided to amend the Rule 2 (d) (a) of “The Punjab Recruitment of Sportsmen Rules, 1988”, to update the definition of sportsman. With this decision, Gold, Silver and Bronze medallists in National Games/Senior National Championships/recognised International Tournaments would be eligible for recruitment for Class I and II posts.Acknowledging this decision as a bid to provide more employment opportunities to sportspersons, Rana Sodhi said that with the concerted efforts of the Chief Minister, first sports university in the state is being set up in Patiala district. Apart from this, the sports policy was revised to bestowed upon Maharaja Ranjit Singh Awards to renowned sportspersons, after which 101 sportspersons of the state were given this prestigious sports awards. Similarly the prize money of the players was increased three to four folds, after which the prize money of around Rs.16 crore was given amongst the Asian and Commonwealth Medalists. He said that the state government under the leadership of the Chief Minister has set the stage to create sports culture and revive the old glory of the state in the field of sports.