DSC 2024 sports quota delay leaves national athletes in limbo
HYDERABAD: Questions are mounting over the prolonged delay in announcing the 2024 District Selection Committee (DSC) sports quota results, with national-level athletes accusing the Education Department of “playing with their lives” despite repeated assurances.
Officials have attributed the delay to re-verification after irregularities were detected in 33 sports quota recruitments. They said some candidates were found ineligible and that Forms 3 and 4 had to be removed before finalising the list. The department has also termed the issue a “sports policy matter”.
However, 28 national-level athletes, who have been waiting for nearly 16 months, said the department has been offering excuses while continuing with appointments made through irregular selections. They alleged that despite admitting mistakes and beginning re-verification following High Court observations, the department failed to act against those who allegedly secured jobs without valid national-level sports certificates or requisite qualifications.
Athletes alleged that some selected candidates were appointed based on false reports and lacked eligibility. They further accused the Education Department of shifting blame to the Sports Department, claiming the delay occurred because the latter did not submit a report sought by it.
Sources said the Sports Department, after obtaining government approval, later submitted a clear report. Despite this, the Education Department allegedly initiated another round of delays, citing reasons such as local body elections, the absence of the Principal Secretary and leave taken by the Director of Education.
With officers now back from leave and the Assembly session underway, pressure is mounting on the department to announce the results. The affected athletes said they were hoping the re-verification would finally expose ineligible candidates and deliver justice to the 28 deserving national-level players, as the sports quota appointments have now entered the third year.
