Bhubaneswar: Recognizing and integrating the athletic talents of the sportsperson from the state, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik gave the recruitment letters to 160 meritorious sportspersons, including 81 athletes, during the Nijukti Parba ceremony held in Bhubaneswar.
The selected sportspersons have been inducted into various government departments such as the Steel & Mining Department, Revenue and Disaster Management, Higher Education, and School and Mass Education. This move marks a progressive step towards leveraging athletic skills across diverse sectors.
The athletes come from a diverse range of sporting disciplines, including hockey, weightlifting, bodybuilding, shooting, karate, rugby, and more. Notably, the recruitment process also embraces para-sports, reflecting Odisha’s commitment to fostering talent across a wide spectrum of athletic endeavours.
Siddhartha Das, Director of the Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha, expressed satisfaction at recognizing the achievements of the athletes. He stated, “By providing jobs for our athletes, we wish to encourage sportspersons across the state to consider sports as a viable pursuit. I am certain that the skills that have enabled our athletes to excel on the field will enable them to perform their jobs exceptionally as well.”
The recruitment of meritorious sportspersons, particularly in para-sports, stands out as a testament to Odisha’s commitment to inclusivity and support for athletes of all abilities.
Siddhartha Das added, “It was pleasing to see that as many as 35 para-athletes from our state were honoured with a government job. It is a testament to our Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik Sir’s vision of not only promoting sports but also making it inclusive and diverse.”
The newly recruited athletes include those who have excelled at both international and national levels. Among them are Asian Games medallist and Javelin star, Kishore Kumar Jena, Soundarya Kumar Pradhan, who achieved gold and silver in blind chess at the Asian Para Games, and blind cricketer Pankaj Bhue.
Expressing gratitude to the Odisha government, Soundarya Kumar Pradhan said, “A job from the government is not only a matter of pride but also provides an athlete with a sense of security. I am sure this, along with many initiatives by the Government of Odisha, will inspire many athletes across Odisha and their families to encourage sports.”