Government rule strikes at sporting spirit

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It can be termed as a perfect paradox.
sportspersons appointed in government service on sports quota should give a declaration that they are quitting sports if they want a permanent seat in the service along with other benefits.
Otherwise, the incumbent has to reach the age of 35 years to claim the benefits.
The state started a scheme for the appointment of outstanding sportspersons in public services in supernumerary posts a quarter century ago.
GO (P) No.161/85/ GAD dated August 22, 1985 describes the eligibility of sportspersons for appointment under the scheme as those who have represented the country in international competition viz.
Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, State in national meets and won places, the university in all-India University Games(Inter Zonal) and won first place and those who won first place in state championships.

Many sportspersons chose the easier path for it ensures a secure job at the right time, while a very few opt for continuing with sports.
But they have to pay dearly for it. Take the case of P J Vinod, a bronze medallist at 2007 Asian Indoor Games Macau, China. He joined Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) as assistant grade II in supernumerary post in 2005 when he was 26. An economics graduate, he kept sports to his heart.
Though he won many a laurel, he is left behind by 300-odd persons junior to him. ‘’I may have lost seniority but don’t have any regret. I could win medals only because I stick to my first love, maintains Vinod who had filed a complaint recently with the Kerala State Sports Council (KSSC) on this discrimination.
He has three more years to reach 35. ‘‘I gave the declaration after three months of joining,’’ says K M Greeshma who clocked 100 metres in 11.74 sec at the 2004 SAF Games held in Pakistan.
Next December, she quit sports at 23. She joined the PSC as an assistant grade II at Palakkad office. Like Vinod and 93 others, she too joined the government service in the supernumerary post in 2005. Now she is a senior-grade assistant at PSC office at Kannur. Many sportslovers may wonder where is R Sukumari who was hailed as a successor to P T Usha for the coaching by O M Nambiar.
Now she is a senior-grade assistant at PSC office at Palakakd. ‘’The government offered me a job, and when I learnt of the prospects of the job I called it a day in sports’’ Sukumari sums up. ‘’I would not have made my best if I had called it a day after getting the job,’’ says high jumper Bobby Alosius who joined Chennai Customs as a preventive officer. Later, she had gifted a silver medal to the nation in the 2002 Busan Asian Games.