Weightlifter Ravi Kumar is now an Odisha police DSP

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, June 2:

The Odisha government today gave appointment to weightlifter Katulu Ravi Kumar in the police department for his outstanding contribution at highest levels.

According to a release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the 28-year-old Commonwealth Games (CWG) gold medal winner has been appointed as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) under direct recruitment of sportspersons in Odisha police.

“I thank Odisha government, people of the state and specially media persons for whom I have got this post so early. My target now is to participate in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. In the last two years, I have tried to achieve the match fitness. I am expecting a call from the Indian Weightlifting Federation this September,” Ravi Kumar told media persons.

It may be mentioned that Ravi Kumar is the first sportsperson in the state to get a job in Group A category.

Notably, the state government had adopted a rule for direct recruitment of meritorious sportspersons of the state in Odisha Police last year to recognise their outstanding performance and to provide them the desired financial security. And, under the said rule, as many as 59 sports persons have been provided employment till now.

The Berhampur lad had shot to fame in 2010 after bagging gold in the 69 kg category at the CWG held in New Delhi.

Earlier on May 23, the state government had given appointments to sprinters Shrabani Nanda and Dutee Chand Dutee Chand as Junior Manager in Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) and Assistant Manager in Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) respectively.