PIB News Update: Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Kiren Rijiju has informed that Sports as a career option is an individual’s choice. The Union Government has taken a number of steps to encourage participation of the youth in sports. Upto 5 percent reservation is provided in direct recruitment in Group ‘C’ posts for meritorious sportspersons. Sports Authority of India recruits Olympians/Para Olympians as Assistant Coach. The academic programmes in sports coaching, physical education and sports allied fields enable career in sports to the youth. Institutions under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports namely National Sports University, Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports, Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education and Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education offer these programmes.