The Madras High Court has directed the State government to consider former international athlete S. Santhi’s plea for relaxation in educational qualifications and help her become a coach at the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDATN).
The 34-year-old was stripped of her Asian Games medal after failing the gender test.
Though Santhi worked as a coach at SDATN, her tenure was only on a contract for a year, which got extended by one more year. As per the notification issued by the Youth Welfare and Sports Development in April this year, an applicant contesting for the post of the coach should have an education qualification of a bachelor’s degree and Santhi did not have one.
Hearing the athlete’s plea, Justice D. Hariparanthaman directed the Secretary of the Youth Welfare and Sports Development to “consider her claim for the post of coach by granting requisite relaxation as a special case”, in the light of the documents produced by her in the sports area and pass appropriate orders within six weeks.
Despite a communication from the Sports Authority of India in 2013 to the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu that she could be offered a job of a coach on completing a course by the National Institute of Sports, the State government “bluntly rejected” her claim stating vacancies would be filled up through employment exchange.
She worked as a coach at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Pudukkottai and later in Mayiladuthurai. She was appointed only on contract basis for a consolidated pay of Rs. 5,000 per month and her tenure was extended twice by one year each.
Santhi has won over 50 State and national medals. She also holds 11 medals in international events. She won a silver medal in the 800 metre track event at the Asian Games in 2006 and it was eventually stripped from her following her failing in the gender verification test.
“As a poor Dalit girl, I had to abandon my passion and dream and cursed to work as a daily wager at a brick kiln in Tamil Nadu. All my struggles went unnoticed at that time and I had to eke out a living doing odd jobs to make both ends meet,” she described her plight.
After her status came to light through the media, the Tamil Nadu government provided a financial grant, which to her “was the only consolation.”
The athlete, who has been training several upcoming sports talents in the State, sought for a direction to authorities to consider her representation requesting relaxation of educational qualification and appointment her as a coach at SDATN.
