Bengaluru: Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister (also the Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports) Dr. G. Parameshwara felicitated and congratulated the state’s athletes who brought glory to the nation and the state by winning medals at the recently concluded Asian Games.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. G. Parameshwara stated that, in addition to honoring the achievements of the state’s athletes at the Asian Games, the government has announced several significant measures aimed at providing greater financial incentives, job security, and necessary support for international-level competitions to Karnataka’s sporting talent.
Significant Hike in Cash Awards: The cash award amounts for Asian Games medalists have been revised and substantially increased. Previously, cash awards of Rs.35 lakh for gold medalists, Rs.25 lakh for silver medalists, and Rs.15 lakh for bronze medalists were being provided. He stated that, under the revised scheme, a cash award of Rs.1 crore will be given to gold medalists, Rs.75 lakh to silver medalists, and Rs.50 lakh to bronze medalists.
Eight individuals will receive these cash awards this time; additionally, these eight medalists will be given an incentive of Rs.5 lakh each for participating in the Asian Games, over and above the cash awards for their medal-winning achievements. He explained that the cash award amounts were increased to appropriately honor the athletes’ achievements and to further inspire future athletes.
Cash award of Rs.5 lakh each for 20 athletes: For the first time, a cash incentive of Rs.5 lakh each has been sanctioned for 20 athletes from Karnataka who qualified for and competed in the Asian Games. Qualifying to compete at the international level is a significant achievement for the state’s athletes; this decision was taken to encourage not only the medal winners but also all athletes who represented the state at the games. Direct Recruitment to Group-B Posts: A provision has been made for the direct recruitment of Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medal winners to Group-B posts under the State Government. Eligible and interested medal-winning athletes will be recruited directly through a selection committee chaired by the State’s Chief Secretary. Dr. G. Parameshwara stated that the government’s objective is to provide job security to high achievers who bring glory to the state and the country in the field of sports by offering them opportunities in government service.
Rs.10 Lakh Incentive: Under the ‘Olympics’ scheme—launched to boost the participation and performance of athletes from Karnataka in the Olympics—four selected athletes (M.R. Poovamma, Sneha S.S., Shreyanka Patil, and Shilpa K.S.) have been included for the 2026-27 period. These athletes will be provided a cash incentive of Rs.10 lakh each during the current year to support their Olympic preparations, training, and other related requirements. The primary objective of the scheme is to prepare the state’s talented athletes to win more medals at global sporting events, including the Olympics, by providing them with excellent training and necessary financial assistance. To ensure job security for accomplished athletes, a 2% reservation has been introduced in direct recruitment for state government posts. A notification to this effect was issued on October 3, 2026, providing a 2% reservation for accomplished athletes in direct recruitment across all categories of state government posts—Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D.
Athletes should not have to worry about employment after achieving success in their sport. This measure was taken with the aim of honoring their sporting achievements while also ensuring security for their future lives. The government is committed to transforming Karnataka into a leading sports state in the country by identifying talent and providing athletes with financial aid, quality training, preparation for international competitions, and employment opportunities.