Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on Wednesday announced a 5% reservation in government jobs for ‘A’ grade sportspersons of the State who have played at national and international levels. An annual sum of Rs. 12 lakh also awaits ‘A’ grade football clubs and clubs associated with sports like badminton, boxing and archery, he announced.
“The State government will give annual grant of Rs. 12 lakh to ‘A’ grade football clubs, and clubs of archery, boxing and badminton and other sports. I also announce 5% government job reservation for ‘A’ grade sportspersons of the State who have played at national and international levels. This is to encourage our children towards sports,” said the Chief Minister.
He was addressing the 43rd State Day function at Chintan Bhawan here.
When contacted, Sports secretary S.D. Dhakal said the department will work on the two announcements made by the Chief Minister and put up the matter before the government soon. We will frame the guidelines on the grant eligibility and submit the proposal to the government within a few days, he said.
Dhakal said the two announcements were a major policy decision of the State government that will boost the sports sector of Sikkim. It will make Sikkim a power house in certain sports and will motivate our young talents, he added. Presently there is no specific reservation for sportsperson in government jobs. Football, martial arts, archery and boxing are some of the sports in which Sikkim has been performing well so far.
