Karnataka hikes Asian Games medal cash awards; gold medallists to get ₹1 crore

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(L-R) Athletes Sneha S.S., Tilottama Sen, Aditi Ashok and M.R. Poovamma, with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar during the felicitation ceremony for Karnataka athletes who won medals at the Asian Games 2026. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

The Karnataka government has increased the cash awards for the State’s Asian Games 2026 medallists, with gold medallists set to receive ₹1 crore, silver medallists ₹75 lakh and bronze medallists ₹50 lakh.

For the first time, the government has also sanctioned a ₹5 lakh incentive for each of the 20 Karnataka athletes who qualified for and participated in the Asian Games.

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister and Youth Empowerment and Sports Minister G. Parameshwara felicitated Karnataka athletes who won medals at the Asian Games 2026 at Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday (October 6, 2026).

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government was taking steps to recognise sporting achievements while providing athletes with financial and employment security.

The eight Karnataka athletes who won medals at the Asian Games will receive the enhanced cash prizes. In addition, each of the eight medallists will get a ₹5 lakh participation incentive. Earlier, the cash awards were ₹35 lakh for gold, ₹25 lakh for silver and ₹15 lakh for bronze.

Mr. Parameshwara said representing the country at an international event was itself a significant achievement and that the incentive was intended to recognise the efforts of athletes.

The eight Karnataka athletes who won medals at the Asian Games will receive the enhanced cash prizes. In addition, each of the eight medallists will get a ₹5 lakh participation incentive.  | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medallists will also be eligible for direct recruitment to Group-B posts in the State government.

Eligible and interested athletes can be recruited through a selection committee headed by the Chief Secretary, the Minister said.

The government has also introduced a 2% reservation in direct recruitment for achieving sportspersons. A notification issued on October 3 provides for the reservation in Group-A, B, C and D posts across the State Government.

Four athletes — M.R. Poovamma, Sneha S.S., Shreyanka Patil and Shilpa K.S. — have been selected under the ‘Guri: Olympics’ scheme for 2026-27. Each will receive ₹10 lakh towards training, preparation and other requirements for Olympic-level competition.

Mr. Parameshwara said the government would continue to support athletes through financial assistance, training and opportunities to compete in international events.

The measures, he said, were aimed at encouraging athletes to pursue sport without having to worry about their future employment and livelihood.

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