Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin announced in the State Assembly on Tuesday that 25 per cent of the 100 sportspersons to be recruited this year under the 3 per cent sports quota would be differently-abled individuals.Responding to a special question raised by VCK MLA Sinthanaiselvan during the Question Hour, Udhayanidhi said the department had already issued appointment orders to 104 sportspersons under the quota last year, surpassing the target of 100. Among them, five were differently-abled and have been appointed in various state government departments and public sector undertakings.
“For this year, the target remains at 100, and we are planning to ensure that at least 25 differently-abled sportspersons are included in the appointments,” he said.
Addressing concerns regarding the recruitment of sportspersons in the police department, Udhayanidhi stated that a Government Order (GO) has been issued. Of the 104 recruits last year, 11 have been appointed as police constables. The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) has also invited applications for 32 sub-inspector posts, and recruitment for second-grade constables will follow shortly, he added.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing ample opportunities for sportspersons, including differently-abled individuals, to serve in public sector roles, particularly in the police force.