Sashmita and (below) Srabani

Bhubaneswar, April 16: Sportspersons in the state, especially women, received a thumbs-up by being recruited through a special drive of the East Coast Railway organised recently. As many as 22 sportspersons from different disciplines were picked up by the railway authorities here.

Most significant in the recruitment process is the employment to 10 women footballers from the state.

“Odia women footballers have proved their mettle even at the international-level. Last year, they made the state proud by winning the Senior National Women’s Championship, the first such title for Odisha. Also, Sasmita Mallik was chosen to captain the national team. These girls have earned a place for themselves at the East Coast Railway,” said Dilip Kumar Samantray, president of the Railway’s Sports Association.

“These girls, who mainly come from weak socio-economic backgrounds, have made a big contribution to the cause of sports in the state. We hope that joining us will help them perform even better and in turn encourage others to continue their career in sports despite all odds,” he said.

While complaints of lack of encouragement for sportspersons from the Odisha government had emerged many times in the past, the recruitment move by the East Coast Railway is expected to boost their morale. The railways had appointed ace athlete Srabani Nanda as a junior clerk last month.

“I was delighted when the East Coast Railway offered me a job. Because, I have seen how sportspersons, be it from hockey, football or even other disciplines, lost focus of their career because of unemployment. I am glad that the East Coast Railway employed me. Now, they are even considering me for a promotion,” said athlete Srabani Nanda.

The railway authorities said that if Nanda qualified for Olympics, she would automatically be given a higher post.

Besides the women football players, three men footballers have also got a railway job along with four hockey players, three athletes and three volleyball (men and women) players.

The railway was planning to develop a centre of excellence for women football in Bhubaneswar by involving players and coaches of national and international repute, said an official of railway. Besides, adequate infrastructure would be made available for regular coaching and practice of Odisha’s women football players.

The East Coast Railway is also coming up with a cricket stadium and a 2,000-capacity multipurpose indoor stadium in Bhubaneswar.