Synopsis: Karnataka has raised its cash rewards for Asian Games medallists to ₹1 crore for gold, ₹75 lakh for silver and ₹50 lakh for bronze, up from ₹35 lakh, ₹25 lakh and ₹15 lakh respectively. All 20 Karnataka sportspersons who participated in the Asian Games will also receive ₹5 lakh each, while medallists from the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games will be eligible for direct recruitment to Group-B posts.
The Karnataka government has raised the cash rewards for the State’s Asian Games medallists, with gold medallists to receive ₹1 crore, silver medallists ₹75 lakh and bronze medallists ₹50 lakh, the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports announced on Tuesday, 6 October.
The earlier rewards were ₹35 lakh, ₹25 lakh and ₹15 lakh, respectively.
The medallists were felicitated by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister and Youth Empowerment and Sports Minister G Parameshwara at Vidhana Soudha on the same day.
It was a proud and memorable moment to felicitate Karnataka’s Asian Games medal winners, M.R. Poovamma, Shreyanka Patil, Mohith H.S., Aditi Ashok, Tilottama Sen, Sneha S.S. Gowda and Ayush Shetty. Deputy Chief Minister and Sports Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, Dr. K. Govindaraj, President of the Karnataka Olympic Association (KOA), and Shri M.N. Anucheth, Commissioner, Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) and Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), were also present.
Standing with these champions, I could see the determination and commitment that have taken them to the highest level. I know that every medal is built on years of discipline, sacrifice, setbacks and an unwavering belief in oneself. Behind every podium finish is a long journey that often goes unseen.
They have made Karnataka proud by representing India with distinction. Their achievements will inspire more young Kannadigas to take up sport, dream big and believe in their own potential.
We will continue to strengthen our sporting ecosystem, support our athletes and ensure that talent from Karnataka gets every opportunity to shine. Their victories are Karnataka’s pride, and their journeys are an inspiration for the next generation.
For the first time, all 20 sportspersons from Karnataka who qualified for and participated in the Asian Games will receive a participation incentive of ₹5 lakh each.
The government has also announced direct recruitment opportunities to Group-B posts for Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medallists. The recruitment will be handled through a committee headed by the Chief Secretary.
The eight medallists from Karnataka will receive a total of ₹8 crore in cash awards, in addition to the ₹5 lakh participation incentive.
Cricketer Shreyanka Patil and hockey player Mohit HS will receive ₹1 crore each. Patil was part of India’s gold medal-winning women’s cricket team, while Mohit was a member of the gold medal-winning Indian men’s hockey team.
Athlete MR Poovamma and golfer Pranavi Urs will receive ₹1.75 crore each. Poovamma won gold in the women’s 4x400m relay and silver in the mixed 4x400m relay. Urs won gold in the women’s individual event and silver in the women’s team event.
Golfer Aditi Ashok and shooter Tilottama Sen will receive ₹75 lakh each. Ashok won silver in the women’s team event, while Sen won silver in the women’s 50m rifle 3-positions team event.
Badminton athlete Ayush Shetty and athlete Sneha SS will receive ₹50 lakh each. Shetty won bronze as part of the Indian men’s team, while Sneha won bronze in the mixed 4x100m relay.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Keerthivas)