Recommendations finalized for sports persons’ jobs in govt departments

Lahore: Punjab government has finalized the recommendations for the restoration of jobs for sports persons in Punjab police and other departments and the said proposals will be presented to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday, this was revealed by Provincial Minister for Sports and Education Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan in a press briefing at National Hockey Stadium here on Friday.

The Minister informed the media that after the restoration of jobs in Punjab police, the separate sports departments will also be established in other sectors and Chief Minister has already issued directives in the regard. “The steps for the revival of employments in police department have been taken for the first time since 2006”. “Removing the financial woes of players has been top priority of Punjab government so that they can play hockey without any kind of pressures,” he added.

Initially, a pool of 20 players will be inducted in Police department. “The players, who will be selected on merit, will also be offered reasonable jobs. The junior players will be appointed constables while the Olympians and the senior players will be deputed as officers,” he further said.

Rana Mashhood told that the Chief Minister was taking great interest in the growth of hockey and he has already issued special instruction for locating fresh talent at grass roots level.

Director General Sports Punjab Usman Anwar, on this occasion, said that Punjab Government was taking key measures for the jobs of sports persons and now no player will be without job in future. “Separate sports cadres will also be introduced for the recruitment of sports persons in different departments,” he explained.

Earlier, Punjab Minister for Sports and Education Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan presided over a meeting to discuss the said issue at length. MPA Ms Tahia Noon, Director General Sports Punjab Usman Anwar, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Ch Akhtar Rasool, PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid Ali, Additional IG Sohail Khan, Deputy Secretary Home Dr Khurram, Director Law Mohsin Abbas and Deputy Secretary Regulation Malik Mukhtar Noon also attended the meeting.

PHF President Ch Akhtar Rasool expressed his pleasure on the positive development regarding the revival of job opportunities for sports persons in various government departments.