The state government in a significant step has taken a decision to introduce reservation in government jobs for sports persons.

Addressing a press conference here at Civil Secretariat on Friday afternoon, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sushanta Chowdhury highlighting the developmental initiatives of the department to modernize the sport infrastructures of the state said that the government to encourage the youths of the state sport activities has decided to introduce reservation in government jobs for sports persons.

He said that soon the state cabinet will approve the decision, which would be mainly for Group-C and D categories of government posts.

He said Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has shown his interest in the reservation proposal for sports persons that will encourage the youth to take up sports activities seriously.

The government has already collected policies for providing reservation to sports persons from various state governments including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Manipur and the government observed that some states are giving reservation ranging from 2 to 4 % to sports persons, said Chowdhury.

Highlighting the developmental activities in sports arena, Chowdhury said that the Centre has sanctioned Rs 39 crore for building sports infrastructures under ‘Khelo India’ scheme and the state government will provide Rs 20 crore for development of sports facilities.

He said that to develop the sports infrastructure at its best, the state’s Youth and Sports Affairs department has given maximum emphasis and government has undertaken a massive modernisation drive, which includes funds from the Centre and the state government to upgrade the sports infrastructure in the state and help budding sportspersons make it to the big arenas.

"The government is focusing on infrastructure development under the Khelo India scheme of the Centre and special assistance funds of the state government and hopes that it will help players from all nooks and corners of the state," Chowdhury said.

With fund of Rs. 5 crore a modern swimming pool construction is going on Physical Education (RCPE) in North Tripura's Panisagar, under ‘Khelo India’ scheme a synthetic football turf at Khowai HS school ground is in the final stage and a synthetic athletic turf at Badharghat stadium with a cost of Rs. 7 crore is also in final stage of construction, said Chowdhury.

He also said that four more synthetic turf has also been under construction with a special assistance fund of Rs. 20 crore from state government including at Umakanta stadium, Sachindranagar school in Jirania, Tulakona area of Mohanpur and another one in Belonia school ground.

He said that as per a decision of the state cabinet, the recruitment process for 100 junior physical instructors are also currently going on. During the press meet, the secretary of Sports and Youth Affairs department Dr Pradip Chakraborty was also present.