Pramesh S Jain
*Our Government Is Committed to Honouring Sporting Achievement and Securing Athletes’Futures:DyCM Dr.G. Parameshwara.
*Major Hike in Cash Awards for Asian Games Medallists:
Rs.1 Crore for Gold,Rs.75 Lakh for Silver,Rs.50 Lakh for Bronze.
*For the First Time,Rs.5 Lakh Incentive Each for 20 Karnataka Athletes Who Participated in the Asian Games.
*Direct Recruitment to Group-B Posts for Asian Games and Commonwealth Games Medallists.
*Rs.10 Lakh Incentive Each for Selected Athletes under ‘Guri:Olympics’ Scheme.
*2% Reservation for Achieving Sportspersons in State Government Direct Recruitment.
Chief Minister D.K.Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports Dr.G. Parameshwara today felicitated and congratulated Karnataka athletes who won medals at the Asian Games 2026, bringing laurels to both the country and the State, at Vidhana Soudha.
Dr.G.Parameshwara said several important measures have been taken not only to honour the achievements of Karnataka’s athletes at the Asian Games,but also to provide greater financial incentives, employment security and support for competing at the international level.
Major Hike in Cash Awards for Asian Games Medallists:
The cash awards for Asian Games medallists have been significantly increased. Earlier,gold medallists received ₹35 lakh,silver medallists ₹25 lakh,and bronze medallists ₹15 lakh.
Under the revised structure,gold medallists will receive ₹1 crore,silver medallists ₹75 lakh,and bronze medallists ₹50 lakh.
Eight Karnataka athletes will receive these revised cash awards this time.
In addition,each of these eight medallists will receive a further ₹5 lakh participation incentive for competing at the Asian Games 2026,over and above the medal cash award.
Dr.Parameshwara said the cash awards have been enhanced to give sporting achievements the recognition they deserve and to inspire the next generation of athletes.
Rs.5 Lakh Each for 20 Karnataka Athletes Who Participated in the Asian Games:
For the first time,all 20 Karnataka athletes who qualified for and competed in the Asian Games 2026 have been sanctioned a cash incentive of ₹5 lakh each.
Qualifying to compete at the international level is itself a major achievement.The decision has therefore been taken to encourage not only medal winners but every Karnataka athlete who represented the State at the Games.
Direct Recruitment to Group-B Posts for Medallists:
Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medallists have been given an opportunity for direct recruitment to Group-B posts in the State Government.
Eligible and interested medallists may be directly recruited through a selection committee headed by the Chief Secretary of Karnataka.
Dr.Parameshwara said the objective is to provide career security to athletes who bring honour to the State and the country through sporting excellence.
₹10 Lakh Each under‘Guri: Olympics’Scheme:Under the ‘Guri:Olympics’ scheme,introduced to improve Karnataka’s participation and performance at the Olympics,four selected medallists from the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games have been included for 2026–27:M.R.Poovamma,Sneha S.S.,Shreyanka Patil and Shilpa K.S.
Each of these athletes will receive a ₹10 lakh cash incentive this year towards Olympic preparation,training and other requirements.
The primary objective of the scheme is to provide talented athletes from Karnataka with quality training and necessary financial support so they can prepare for and win more medals at global events,including the Olympics.
2% Reservation for Achieving Sportspersons in Government Recruitment:
To provide employment security to accomplished sportspersons, the State Government has introduced 2% reservation in direct recruitment.
A notification in this regard was issued on 03-10-2026, providing 2% reservation for achieving sportspersons in direct recruitment to Group-A, Group-B,Group-C and Group-D posts across all levels of the State Government.
Dr.Parameshwara said sportspersons should not have to worry about employment after achieving success in sports.
The measure is intended not only to honour their sporting achievements but also to provide security for their future.
He added that the Government is committed to making Karnataka one of the country’s leading sporting States by identifying talent and supporting athletes through financial assistance,quality training, preparation for international competitions and employment opportunities.
