“I have planned many more things for our betis upon their return from Olympics: Hemant
Ranchi, August 3: Team India hockey player Nikki Pradhan sister Shashi Pradhan and her parents Soma Pradhan and Jitan Devi were at Project Building where the state sports department organsied a function to hand over job letters to 12 sports persons and also provide special cash awards to those taking part in the Olympics.
This year, three players—Nikki Pradhan and Salima Tete (both hockey) and archer Deepika Kumari are representing the country from Jharkhand in the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Chief minister Hemant Soren provided their parents with Rs 5 lakh as a token of appreciation in the absence of the players who are in Tokyo. He also promised to sanction more funds after the players returned from Tokyo and said that the players after their return to the state would be used as ambassador for sports consciousness in different parts of the state.
“Our beti (daughters) who have made it to Olympics are our pride. I have planned many more things for them upon their return,” he said, adding that his government was committed to promotion of sports and games in Jharkhand.
State sports secretary Pooja Singhal said that out of 40 players who were selected for direct jobs under the new sports policy, 12 couldn’t get appointment letters in the past due to technical reasons. “Today, all 12 received their letters. Players were from disciplines like archery, cycling, wushu, athletics and karate. They were inducted as sub- inspectors and inspectors of police,” she said.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren had decided to give employment to 39 sportspersons in the state under direct appointment. Last year, out of 39 players, 27 were given appointment letters. Chief Minister Hemant Soren handed over appointment letters to the remaining 12 players on Tuesday
Hemant handed over job letters to sportspersons.
Under the direct appointment, three players were given appointment letters for the post of sub-inspector and nine other players were given constable’s job. The players who have been appointed to the post of sub-inspector include Madhumita Kumari, Ritesh Anand and Bhagyavati Chanu. For the post of constable, appointment letters have been given to Viplav Kumar Jha, Dinesh Kumar, Krishna Khalkho, M Vijay Kumar, Lovely Choubey, Lakhan Hansda, Sarita Tirkey, Farzana Khan and Reena Kumari.
The Chief Minister said that Jharkhand has a distinct identity in the world of sports. Many players of this state have proved their performance in the country and in the world. Now the government has started the work of making these players financially empowered.
Along with finding and sculpting the players, they will be made part of the government. He said that the state government was committed to the welfare of the players of Jharkhand and to promote the game at the highest level
Ahead of Wednesday’s semi-finals with Argentina, Team India defender Nikki Pradhan called home to seek her parents blessings
Around 5.30pm (IST) on Tuesday when it was 9pm in Tokyo, Nikki rang up her elder sister Shashi Pradhan to share her feelings and seek the blessings of her parents. “Tomorrow is a high-pressure match. She sounded confident for sure. But, I also sensed a bit of nervousness in her tone ahead of the big day. It was 9pm and she was off to bed after dinner and just wanted to speak to us and seek blessings,” said Shashi over phone to her sister.
On Monday, Indian women’s team scripted history by entering into semi-final for the first time since 1980 when female hockey began in Olympics. The Indian side thrashed Australia 1-0 in a nail-biting match that went down the wire.
Shashi, who has played hockey herself, and is currently working for Indian Railway in Ranchi, added that Nikki told her the team morale was high after the quarter-final win against Australia. “But she was upset the team couldn’t do well in the earlier matches. Extreme heat conditions could be a reason, she said. She said Monday’s match brought back confidence and coordination among team members also improved. In the end, it all depends how they play as a unit on a particular day.”