Chennai: In a major boost to the sportspersons, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday announced that the government jobs for sportspersons under the sports quota would be increased from two to three per cent.
Speaking at a function organised by the Olympic Association here to thank him for allotting two per cent quota in sports recruitment for jobs in government and government undertakings, the Chief Minister said, in deference to the wishes expressed by various speakers including Mr N Ramachandran, the quota has been increased to three per cent in government jobs.
The announcement was received with wild applause from the packed gathering at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor stadium. The Chief Minister said that members of various associations and parents of sportspersons asked the government what benefit they would get in taking the sports as a career.
Recalling that late Chief Minister J Jayalallitha has enhanced the quota to two per cent following requests from various sports federations and the sports welfare minister, Palaniswami said the government, in deference to the requests made by various associations, would take steps to increase the quota from two per cent to three per cent within the quota.
Stating that happiness that the sportspersons receive was no less than any another recognition, they achieve in victories, he said Tamilnadu has climbed to Number three spot from eight in terms of winning medals in Internatioanal meets and assured the government would take all steps to climb up to the Number one position.