From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 18: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday promised to take steps for sportspersons in all government jobs and said currently 3% reservation is being given to sportspersons in police and forest departments ``This benefit of reservation will be positively reviewed to give reservation of 2% in other government departments,’’ he said.

Speaking at his Home Office Krishna after felicitating and presenting cash awards to the athletes and coaches of the state who won medals in the recently held 19th Asian Games in China, he said he government wants to encourage sportspersons.

The Chief Minister said that sportspersons have brought honour to the country and the state. It is a matter of pride for all Kannadigas. Indian athletes have won maximum number of medals in the Asian Games in China this time.

From 70 to 107 great feat:

He also appreciated that 70 medals were won last time and now it is 107 medals and felt that India ranks first in population in the entire world. This honor will increase if we get first or second position in the Asian Games as well.

Siddaramaiah said the state government is committed to promote sports.

When he was the Chief Minister in his previous tenure, prize money was announced to the winners in the Asian Games and Olympics.

He explained that Karnataka is the first state to announce the highest prize amount.

The Chief Minister congratulated the sportsmen on behalf of government and seven crore Kannadigas.

``This time 8 people from the state have won medals. Winning a medal at the international level is no small feat. It requires a lot of effort. You have done an amazing job,’’ he said and wished them good luck to try hard and win medals in the Olympics as well.

Youth Empowerment and Sports Minister Nagendra, Chief Minister's Political Secretary K. Govindaraju, Naseer Ahmed, Youth Empowerment and Sports Department Principal Secretary N. Manjunath Prasad and other dignitaries were present.

Medal Winners:

On the occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated medal winners of the state and presented the cash prizes to RajeshwariGaikwad (Cricket- Gold), RohanBopanna (Tennis- Mixed Doubles- Gold), MijoChackoKurien, Nihal Joel (Athletics Men's 4*400m Relay - Reserved Athlete - Gold), Mithun Manjunath (Men's Badminton - Silver), Sai Prateek (Men's Badminton Silver), Divya (Shooting - Two Silver Medals), and coaches V. TejaswiniBai (Kabaddi - Gold), Ankita B.S. (Hockey- Bronze), CA Kuttappa (Chief Boxing Coach- 1 Silver and 4 Bronze) .