Services should change promotion policy for sportsmen: Maken

The letter comes against the backdrop of the ace shooter threatening to quit the Army as he has not been given promotion despite several good performances in the last six years.

"I request you to consider appropriate changes in the policy of armed forces regarding promotion to outstanding sportsmen. Outstanding sports persons achieving high level of excellence deserve consideration even for a third out of turn promotion in recognition of their performances," Maken said in the letter.

The minister said he has been informed that guidelines in the Army Sports Control Board has provision for two out of turn promotions for Army persons whereas the recent government policy has provision for three out of turn promotions.

"It would be in fitness of things that there is parity in award of out of turn promotions for all sports persons, who have excelled in sports events nationally or internationally so as to obviate any sense of deprivation in respect of defence service employees on one hand and reward them equally for their excellence in sports events on the other hand," Maken said.

The Sports Minister further stated that such a move will go a long way in recognising contribution of sports persons in enhancing country's position in arena of world sports.