The Odisha government on Thursday gave appointment to international weightlifter K.Ravi Kumar in the State police force in the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to honour his outstanding performance in sports.
As per a release from the office of the Chief Minister, the 28-year-old gold medal winner of the Commonwealth Games was appointed as DSP under the scheme of direct recruitment of sportspersons in the Odisha police. Mr. Kumar’s appointment has also been approved by the Odisha Public Service Commission. Mr. Kumar, who hails from Berhampur, had hogged the limelight when he broke the Commonwealth record to win a gold medal in the 69 kg category of weightlifting at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010. Apart from that, he has also won several events in other national and international weightlifting events.
According to official sources, Mr. Kumar is the first sportsperson from Odisha to get appointed in the Group A category under the direct recruitment scheme for sportspersons.
Last year, the Odisha government had decided for direct recruitment of meritorious sportspersons of the State in the Odisha Police to provide them financial security. Till now, 59 sports persons have been provided employment under the scheme. Earlier on May 23, the State government had given appointments to international sprinters Shrabani Nanda and Dutee Chand as assistant managers in the Odisha Hydro Power Corporation and the Odisha Mining Corporation respectively. Speaking to newsmen, Mr. Kumar thanked the government for his appointment as DSP in the State police and said he would continue his efforts to keep up the pride of his State and country in future international events.
