Thiruvananthapuram: There is a complaint that a national silver medalist in kho-kho was denied selection trial for taking part in the protest seeking government jobs in front of the Secretariat here.
S. Ramya, a National Games medalist, had been taking part in the strike in front of the Secretariat seeking government jobs for the last 42 days. A native of Chirayznkeezhu, Ramya has been an active presence in National Games for the last 13 years. She is a member of the kho-kho Indian national camp and was selected as the best player from Kerala in her sport last year.
Sporty Club team in which Remya was a member, took part in the district level kho-kho championship at Sree Padam grounds in Attingal on Sunday. Her team finished third but she was not given a chance to be a part of the Thiruvananthapuram district team which will compete in the state championship at Malappuram on February 28.
"The event organisers asked me, Since you are protesting in front of the Secretariat, you would get a government job anyway. So why bother and take part in the championship?” said Ramya.
Ramya had won a silver medal in the 35th National Games. She had been protesting along with 83 other National Games medalists in front of the Secretariat. Ramya had been attending matches from the protest venue. With the denial of selection trials, Ramya will not be able to take part in state and national games this year.
Sports teacher K. R. Pramod, who is the coordinator of the national athletes said that Sports Council officials were taking revenge on those taking part in the protest. Sports Council officials were not ready to comment on the matter.
