Bhubaneswar, Feb 10 (IANS): Odisha Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sudam Marandi Tuesday said meritorious sportspersons will be appointed directly in group 'B' and 'C' category of Odisha Police, depending on their achievements in national and international games.

"In its effort to encourage sportspersons to excel in national and international level, the state government has decided that the sportspersons participating in such games would be appointed directly in Odisha Police," Marandi said here.

"This is a historic decision of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik," he told reporters.

A notification has been issued in the first week of February in this regard, said the minister.

While Olympic participants, silver or bronze medallists in Asian and Commonwealth games will be appointed as sub-inspectors or equivalent posts in group 'B', the sportspersons who participated in international games at the school and university level will be appointed as constables, he said.

Besides, medallists in Open National Championship (except school and university level) will also be appointed as constables in group 'C' category. Earlier, the state government had announced cash incentives for sportspersons at the national and international level.