151 National Games medal winners plan to leave Kerala team

Peeved by the indifference by the state government, 151 National Games medal winners have threatened to leave Kerala team. They have also decided to boycott sports events after the government failed to provide job offered to them.

The state government had offered government jobs to all the sports persons who won medals in the National Games held in the state two years back. Only four postings have been made so far, while more than hundred sports persons are   waiting.

More than 151 games participants, including gold medalists in cycling and athletics, are a dejected by the government's apathy. The UDF ministry had promised jobs, including gazetted posts to the medalists. The plan was to accommodate them in public sector units and various government departments.
 

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If these sports persons quit the team, it would affect Kerala's preparations for the next games, as the selection and training camps are scheduled to begin shortly.

Kerala team bagged 162 medals including 54 golds in the National Games. Though the UDF government had shortlisted 72 names eligible for jobs in various departments, officials cited technical reasons to deny and delay jobs.

• Kerala sports
• National Games
• Kerala Athletes