Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Saturday announced that the State Government will give 2 per cent job reservations to the talented sportspersons in all the departments of the State. Currently, the reservation of 2 per cent is given only in the police department. He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 23rd Senior National Indian Round Archery Championship (men and women), which kick-started at the Arjuna Stadium at the erstwhile princely town of Kharsawan in West Singhbhum.
“Our Government is committed to welfare of sportspersons and will take steps to promote tribal talent. Tribal talent has brought laurels to the State in the field of archery and other sports. The Government will take steps to promote them,” said Das. He added that the Government will also form sports clubs at Panchayat, block and district levels to organise different activities.
Moreover, within one month a residential centre for football training will be opened. Also, he informed that fourth chery centre will be opened at Chaibasa this year, while another centre will be opened at Bokaro. He also said during State Foundation Day on November 15 several sports events will be organised and winners will be felicitated.
Over 300 participants from Gujarat, Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Manipur, Delhi, Punjab Odisha, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh are participating in the event for displaying their prowess with the traditional bows and arrows.
The championship is being organised by Seraikela Kharsawan District Archery Association (SKDAA) under the auspices of Jharkhand Archery Association (JAA).
Former CM Arjun Munda, Sports Minister Amar Kumar Bauri, JAA president Sunil Bhaskaran, Secretary Charles Borromeo and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Accommodation arrangements for women archers have been made at the training centre of the National Institute of Fashion Technology while the men will stay at the State polytechnic hostel.
The event is taking place for the first time in Kharsawan where former chief minister Arjun Munda and wife Meera patronise an archery cradle. The erstwhile princely town, which falls in Seraikela-Kharsawan district, is the cradle for archery in the State.
later in the evening Das addressed the seventh edition of the All India Santhali and Regional Film Festival being organised at Gopal Maidan. The opening ceremony took place at Gopal Maidan while the films will be screened at Michal Johan auditorium and Jakta Maidan
“We are organising the film festival with support from the individuals and private organisations that are keen to promote the tribal language films and other regional language films,” said Ramesh Hansda, president, AISFA.
Films in Santali, as well as other regional language from across the country including West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand will be screened during the film festival. Hansda, also a local BJP leader, said during the festival artists in different categories, including lifetime achievement award, best santhali and best regional film award, will be honoured.