Steps soon to ensure jobs for athletes

KOCHI: The state government will take immediate steps to give jobs to athletes under sports quota, said Education Minister P K Abdu Rabb during the closing ceremony of the 55th Kerala State Schools Athletics Championships here on Sunday. He said the prize money for the winners of the state schools championship will be increased.Outlining the measures the government is planning to solve the problems plaguing sports in the state, the minister said: “A combined committee, including  Education and Sports departments, will be constituted under the Directorate of Public Instruction for the comprehensive development of Kerala sports. A new educational package will be developed for solving the problems of the physical education teachers.”He said a medical team would be constituted from the next schools meet onwards to ensure proper age-limit of the athletes.Later, he gave away the trophies to the champions. PWD Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju, who presided over the function, released a souvenir brought out in connection with the championship. The media awards for the 54th edition of the meet held at Thiruvananthapuram were also given away during the function.Biju Chandrashekar of Madhyamam and Shameer Rahman of Malayala Manorama received the best reporter award while Manoj Thekkedath of Malayala Manorama won the honour for comprehensive reporting. P P Sujit of Dheshabhimani claimed the best photographer photographer award. MLAs Anwar Sadath, Joseph Vazhakkan, Hibi Eden, Ludy Luis, deputy mayor Bhadra Satish, Ernakulam District Sports Council president V A Zakeer Hussain and director of Public Instruction A Shajahan were present.