Jamshedpur, Oct. 16: Tata Steel prized runner Chitra K. Soman has bid good bye to the steel major and joined Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC).

Sources revealed that 24-year-old Soman, an Olympian runner and winner of international medals, was not ‘happy’ with her nature of appointment with Tata Steel. She was employed on contract for almost five years. “She left the company out of frustration for not getting a permanent job in the company,” said a source.

The star athlete is presently sweating it out at the ongoing national camp in Patiala. Satish Pillai, chief, sports, Tata Steel confirmed that Soman has left the company to join ONGC.

“We wish her a good future. She’s a fine athlete who has done the country proud in international events. Tata has of late stopped employing sportspersons on a permanent basis. According to the policy, only those who’ve won medals at international levels and show consistency would be offered jobs, but on contract basis. Tata last year offered jobs on contract to ace archer Jayanta Talukdar and promising athlete Sinimol Paulose.

About Soman’s frustration, a source revealed: “She was worried about her future and was on the look out for a job elsewhere, including the railways. Soman could have stayed with Tata Steel had she been offered a permanent job.”

Soman, a 400-m national champion, originally hails from Kerala and was part of the Indian contingent for the Olympics in Athens last year.

She was part of the 4 x 400-m relay, which claimed top slot in the Asian Track and Field Championship last year.