Karnataka Government Boosts Cash Rewards for Asian Games Medalists
Increased Cash Rewards for Athletes
Photo: IANS
Bengaluru, Oct 6: The Karnataka government has significantly raised the cash prizes for eight athletes from the state who earned medals at the 2026 Asian Games. The new prize amounts are set at Rs 1 crore for gold, Rs 75 lakh for silver, and Rs 50 lakh for bronze medals.
As per an announcement from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's office, the cash reward for a gold medal has been increased from Rs 35 lakh to Rs 1 crore, while the silver medal reward has risen from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 75 lakh, and the bronze medal reward has gone from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
Among the beneficiaries, Indian cricketer Shreyanka Patil, who won a gold medal, will receive Rs 1 crore. Track athlete M.R. Poovamma, who participated in the 4x400 mixed relay and won a silver medal, along with being part of the gold-winning 4x400 women's relay team, will receive a total of Rs 1.75 crore.
Tilottama Sen, who secured a silver medal in the women's 50-metre rifle team event, will be awarded Rs 75 lakh. Badminton player Ayush R. Shetty, part of the Indian men's team that won bronze, will receive Rs 50 lakh. Sneha S.S., who earned a bronze in the 4x100 mixed relay in athletics, will also get Rs 50 lakh.
Golfer Aditi Ashok, who won a silver medal, will be awarded Rs 75 lakh. Pranavi S. Urs, who was part of the Indian golf team that won silver and also claimed an individual gold medal, will receive a total of Rs 1.75 crore.
Mohit H.S., a member of the gold-medal-winning men's hockey team, will also receive Rs 1 crore.
In addition to the cash rewards, each of the eight athletes will receive an extra Rs 5 lakh as a subsidy.
The state government has also announced direct appointments for Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medalists to Group-B positions in government services. Athletes interested in government roles will be considered for direct appointments through a committee led by the Chief Secretary.
As part of the 2026-27 Olympics Scheme, Asian Games medalists Poovamma, Sneha, and Shreyanka, along with Commonwealth Games medalist Shilpa K.S., will each receive Rs 10 lakh to aid their Olympic preparations.
Furthermore, a notification issued on October 3 has established a two percent reservation in direct recruitment for sportspersons across all categories of state government positions, including Group-A, Group-B, Group-C, and Group-D roles.
The government has also declared a cash incentive of Rs 5 lakh each for 20 athletes from Karnataka who represented India at the 2026 Asian Games.
Notably, Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports, G. Parameshwara, mentioned on Monday that the state is reviewing the cash awards for athletes by comparing them with incentives from other states. This comes after senior track athlete Poovamma expressed her dissatisfaction with the previous cash reward of Rs 35 lakh for a gold medal, urging the government to enhance financial support for medal-winning athletes.
She also expressed disappointment over the lack of immediate congratulations from state leaders or district officials following her victory in Japan, calling for improved support and increased financial incentives for future athletes.