Ace shuttler and Rio Olympics silver medallist PV Sindhu was on Thursday appointed as Deputy Collector, a Group-1 service post, in the Andhra Pradesh government. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu personally handed over the Government Order to Sindhu in the Secretariat, appointing her to the post.Expressing happiness over this, Sindhu said her first priority would continue to be badminton."My focus will be on the sport only," she added, and thanked the Chief Minister for the job.Upon her winning the silver medal in women's badminton (singles) in the Rio Olympics last year, the AP Council of Ministers had resolved to award Sindhu a cash incentive of Rs 3 crore, a 1000-sq yd house site in Amaravati and also provide a Group-1 service job in the state government.

The state government, in the Budget session of Legislature this year, amended the Andhra Pradesh (Regulation of Appointment to Public Services and rationalization of Staff Pattern and Pay Structure) Act, 1994, paving way for direct appointment of Sindhu in Group-1 service after she expressed interest in taking up the job.Accordingly, the GO was issued appointing Sindhu as Deputy Collector (Category-2), subject to condition that she take up the job within 30 days."She will be under probation for a three-year period and undergoing service training," Special Chief Secretary (Revenue) Manmohan Singh said in the order.The Chief Minister wished all success to Sindhu in her future endeavours and hoped she would win many international tournaments.As Group-1 officer, he wanted her to contribute to the development of sports in the state.