Hyderabad, May 14:  Giving effect to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's recent announcement, an order was issued today providing two per cent reservation in government jobs in Telangana to meritorious sportspersons.

"Two per cent is horizontal reservation and not vertical reservation," state Youth Services and Sports Secretary B Venkatesham said which means the overall percentage of reservation would not be affected.

The reservation would be applicable to 29 recognised sports disciplines, he added.

Though a Government Order (GO) was issued earlier on the matter, it was not implemented because "state and subordinate service rules" were not amended, he said.

Rao had assured the two per cent sports quota when he recently felicitated Commonwealth Games medal winners, Sports Minister T Padmarao Goud said. He thanked Rao on behalf of the state sports department for the decision to provide quota to sportspersons.