Jamshedpur, Sept. 19: Jharkhand’s medal hopes in kayaking and canoeing just received a shot in the arm. For, four top outstation players will be donning the state jerseys during the 34th National Games.

Nandini (Uttarakhand) and Babita (Punjab) will be joining the state team with Somaya (Kerala) and Kunal (Andaman and Nicobar Islands). They signed the contract at a meeting with the state kayaking and canoeing body general secretary Syed Matloob Hashmi last week in Roorkie (Uttarakhand).

Besides the four, who have bagged medals in national events, talks are on with others, too.

Hashmi, the secretary-general of the Jharkhand Olympic Association, told The Telegraph that it took lot of persuasion on their part to rope in the recruits.

“We are happy that things fell in line. The four players have agreed to join our kayaking and canoeing squad during the Games. They are experienced players. We are very optimistic about their medal-winning potential,” he said.

Hashmi said they have already obtained no-objection certificates from the home states and employers (read police) of the players.

The four are also tipped to represent the state in a national championship slated in Chandigarh this October.

According to sources, the four recruits would be shortly coming down to Jharkhand for first-hand information about the water sports infrastructure.

“They have never been to our state. They have requested us to arrange their visit. They are expected to visit the Maithon Dam and those at Dumka, Giridih and some other districts,” said an official.

Though Hashmi refused to reveal much, officials of the Jharkhand Kayaking and Canoeing Association said they were lured by the cash incentive announced by the state government for medal winners.

“No sportsperson would like to switch states without any incentive. The state’s announcement of awarding cash incentives to medal winners from the state did the trick. The four outstation players are also joining Jharkhand for the same purpose. They are all set to claim medals for Jharkhand and also walk home with wads of currencies in their pockets,” said an official.