Imphal, November 02: Numerous sports officials under the Youth Affairs and sport Department have come out strongly against the reported move of the State Government to appoint individuals who do not fulfil requisite appointment criteria.

Speaking to media personnel chairman of Coordinating Committee of the Coaches, Superintendents, Stadium supervisors and Physical Education Teachers� Association of YAS Department L Manglem said it would not be less than inviting trouble in case person/s not complementary to prescribed norms and qualification are appointed to fill the vacant post of Additional Director (Coaching) and Additional Director (Planning) in the Department.

Contending that State Government is reported to be actively mulling appointment of World Boxing Champion MC Mary Kom as Additional director (coaching), Manglem insisted that the post should be held by an individual only if he/she fulfil the criteria laid down for it.

Applauding exploits of Mary Kom and other sportspersons of Manipur who had brought innumerable laurels to the State, the Association chairman pointed out that among other necessary criteria for the two vacant posts the appointment procedures should be through the initiatives of the Manipur Public Service Commission.

Moreover, for the post of additional Director (coaching) the aspiring candidate/s either need to be in-service for not less than five years, apart from being a graduate and holder of diploma in NIS in the chosen field or an international player with certificate in Physical Education stream besides conditions mentioned above, Manglem highlighted.

Rather than take immediate necessary action to fill up the vacant posts with over six qualified candidates existent within the rank and file of the Department any attempt to effect the appointment against the prescribed rules and regulation would constrain the Association members to resort to agitation, he cautioned.

Manglem also cited the previous case of listing hockey Olympian P Nilkamal and weightlifter N Kunjarani as prospective candidates for the said posts which was ultimately shelved as neither fulfilled the prescribed criteria.

He also informed of the Association having submitted a memorandum to the sports Minister on the matter.

Highlighting contents of the representation, the chairman said a number of qualified candidates who had also brought laurel to the State during their playing days and deserve recognition and incentive are being overlooked.

In case appointment process of Mary Kom is initiated through amendment of existing Recruitment Rules of the Department the initiative would be highly objectionable and needed to be dropped as great prejudice and grave miscarriage of justice would be caused to coaches in particular and other employees in general who had been rendering dedicated and diligent service for many years.

Comment