Bhubaneswar, Feb. 10: The state government will offer more jobs in the police department to sportspersons representing the country in the upcoming Olympics or winning medals at international events.

The government has reserved 1 per cent of government jobs for the sportspersons, who will get the jobs within 30 days of application. The decision to recruit meritorious sportspersons in Group-B and Group-C posts in the police department was taken last week but was made public today.

This is going to boost the morale of the state's sportspersons, who had complained about the lack of job opportunities. Last year, the government had also hiked financial rewards to the players winning laurels at international and national events. They were offered double the amount being paid by the central government.

According to the home department's notification, players, who take part in the Olympics or win medals in the Asian or Commonwealth Games, would be appointed as sub-inspectors of police or to the equivalent Group-B posts. But, they need to have passed Plus Two or equivalent exams.

Besides, players, who have taken part in the international events such as school and university games or bagged medals in national championships, would be provided with jobs as police constables or in the equivalent Group-C posts. For constable posts in civil police, a candidate has to pass the high school certificate examination. For sepoy or constable in the battalion, the players need to have passed Class V.

However, sources said that if a candidate did not possess requisite minimum qualification at the time of appointment, one could acquire it after getting the job. But, no promotion should be given to that player till the acquisition.

The notification states that players, who have succeeded in various fields in the past five years, are eligible for the job. "Besides, players, who had won medals in the Commonwealth Games held in Delhi and in the Asian Games in China, and those, who represented India in the London Olympics, are also eligible to apply for the jobs," said an official.

Director-cum-additional secretary of the sports and youth services department Anant Kishore Jena said 26 sporting activities had been earmarked and players representing these sports were eligible for such job opportunities. "Appointment under this rule is beyond the statutory provision of the reservation of 1 per cent vacancies for sportspersons," he said.

Weightlifter K. Ravi Kumar, who won a gold medal in the Delhi Commonwealth Games and a silver medal in its last edition, said the initiative would help the sportspersons in the state. "I was waiting for a job opportunity in the state, so that I can come here. Now, it will help players like me to stay in the state and take part in the national and international events," said Kumar. The selection board would consist of three senior police officials of the state police headquarters and two sports department representatives.