KEA to allot sports quota seats as promised in brochure

Students seeking admissions under the sports quota under the Common Entrance Test (CET) can finally heave a sigh of relief as the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has agreed to consider the list of games and sports disciplines listed on its brochure.

Students had protested outside the KEA office in Malleswaram on Monday and Tuesday after learning only Olympic achievements would be considered for the sports quota seats. This came following a letter by the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports to the KEA, seeking the other games not be considered while allocating seats.

The KEA has now decided to offer sports quota seats to students under all the categories as promised earlier. S N Gangadharaiah, administrative officer, KEA, said: "We will go ahead with the list of sports and events mentioned in the brochure released previously. The letter from the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports came at the last moment and it cannot be considered unless the rules are amended."

Navya, a Netball player and an engineering aspirant, said this was a sign of relief for students. "We spend several hours playing a sport. Some of us have played at the international level. Not recognising this would have been unfair on the part of the KEA. We feel relieved now as we can be assured of seats in better colleges under the sports quota."

The department's letter also said only students who participated in sports activities in II PUC or Class 12 were to be considered for the sports quota. However, the KEA has said that as per the existing rules, those who have been actively participating in the list of sports events mentioned in the brochure between Class 8 and 12 would be considered.

Some students, however, claimed they have not been informed about the change in the decision by the KEA. "Some students were handed over a fresh application on the spot when we were protesting. We were told that only those eligible are being given separate applications on the spot. We are still unsure if we are being considered as we did not fill any application that day," said Sridhar, a sportsperson.

According to the KEA brochure, "The Commissioner for Youth Services and Sports or his authorised nominee is the final authority to decide the candidate's eligibility under sports category. Further, the KEA shall not be held responsible in this regard."