New Delhi, April 2 The government is making efforts to involve private companies in the Khelo India mission for the promotion of sports, but there is no directive for them regarding job reservation for sportspersons, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.
Responding to a supplementary question during the question hour in the Upper House, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, said that providing employment for sportspersons in the private sector is entirely at the discretion of the companies.
"There is no such policy currently. It is up to the private companies to decide whether they want to employ a sportsperson," she said.
The minister was responding to a question from BJP member Mayankkumar Nayak, who sought to know if there is job reservation for meritorious sportspersons in the private sector, as is done in various government ministries, departments and PSUs.
Khadse, however, said that the government is trying to involve private companies in the 'Khelo India' mission and promote sports through their CSR funds or other means.
The minister pointed out that under the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) guidelines, different ministries, railways, and defence have different criteria for reservations for sportspersons, but "from our side (the government), there is no rule imposed on private companies".
Responding to another query from Congress member Digvijay Singh, who wanted to know the government's efforts to provide education and sports training facilities at the same center, Khadse said that the Khelo India mission to develop sports at the grassroots level is also aligned with the school education policy.
Efforts have been made in collaboration with state governments to establish sports schools at each district, where selected talented students get the opportunity to pursue sports along with education simultaneously.
The government is also working to increase activities and disciplines so that more talent can be identified.
