New Delhi: Moved by the media reports about the pathetic condition of national level sportspersons who are forced to work in construction site, brick kiln, as coolie at Railway station and also sell fast food on the pavements, Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, President, All India Council of Sports, urged the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Labour & Employment to formulate a scheme to provide employment guarantee to national and international sportspersons.

He suggested that the present scheme of reservation of posts in government organisations on sports quota be extended to all Private and Public Sector Undertakings. He further suggested that suitable guidelines/directive be issued to all Labour Commissioners and District Collectors to ensure employment guarantee to sportspersons.

Prof Malhotra further urged the Secretary (Sports) of all States & UTs, Indian Olympic Association and National Sports Federations concerned to maintain close data on national and international level sportspersons and co-ordinate with local District Collectors and Labour Commissioners to ensure that national and international sportspersons get suitable employment in their respective districts instead of suffering for want of suitable employment.