Srinagar, Sep 4: The appointment of 223 outstanding sportspersons selected for government service under the sports quota remains uncertain, with the candidates still waiting to join their respective departments amid an issue involving an individual candidate from Jammu.
The selected athletes say they are being affected by a matter unrelated to their own selection and have urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to resolve the issue at the earliest.
The matter is linked to Surya Pratap Singh of Jammu, an Asian Games medalist who, according to the selected sportspersons, was left out of the selection process over allegations described as “duping charges.” Singh later staged a protest in Jammu seeking government employment, following which Sports Minister Satish Sharma reportedly assured him of a job.
The development has reportedly created uncertainty around the appointment process for the 223 selected candidates, preventing them from joining their assigned government duties.
The affected sportspersons have questioned why their appointments should remain on hold over a matter concerning an individual candidate.
“What is our fault?” they have asked, maintaining that they completed the required selection process and earned their appointments through their sporting achievements.
The athletes said that once the Government has assessed their eligibility and selected them for appointment, their joining should not be delayed indefinitely because of a separate dispute.
They have appealed to the Lieutenant Governor's administration and the concerned departments to resolve the matter administratively and allow the selected candidates to proceed with their appointments.
The sportspersons said they have spent years training and competing at various levels while representing Jammu and Kashmir and the country, and that prolonged uncertainty over government employment is adding to their difficulties.
They have maintained that any issue concerning an individual candidate can be dealt with separately without affecting the appointment of those who have already been selected.
The athletes have sought immediate intervention from the administration and urged the authorities to clear the way for their joining.
Repeated attempts to contact Sports Minister Satish Sharma for his response to the matter were unsuccessful.
