The Karnataka government has announced a major cash reward package for the state’s athletes who participated in the Asian Games 2026, including improved medal incentives, participation rewards and additional support for Olympic preparation.

According to Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, 20 Karnataka athletes who were eligible to compete at the Asian Games 2026 will receive ₹5 lakh each as participation incentive. This is the first time such an incentive has been announced for all eligible participating athletes.

The government has now substantially increased the cash rewards for medal winners.

The earlier prize money of ₹35 lakh for gold, ₹25 lakh for silver and ₹15 lakh for bronze has been revised to ₹1 crore for gold, ₹75 lakh for silver and ₹50 lakh for bronze.

The announcement comes days after the Karnataka government faced criticism over its initial response to M.R. Poovamma’s gold-medal winning performance.

Poovamma and her family had expressed disappointment that there had been no immediate call or official congratulatory message from the state government or Sports Department after she won gold in the women’s 4x400m relay.

Poovamma herself later said that she initially received no calls, before Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara contacted her.

₹8 Crore Reward For 8 Medallists

Eight Karnataka athletes who won medals at the Asian Games will receive a combined ₹8 crore in medal prize money, according to the government.

The biggest individual reward will go to Shreyanka R Patil, who won gold in women’s cricket, with the government awarding her ₹1 crore.

M.R. Poovamma, who won silver in the mixed 4x400m relay and gold in the women’s 4x400m relay, will receive a total of ₹1.75 crore.

Tilottama Sen, who won silver in the women’s 50m rifle team event, will receive ₹75 lakh, while badminton player Ayush Shetty, who won a bronze medal in the men’s team event, will receive ₹50 lakh.

Other medal winners listed by the government include Sneha S.S., Aditi Ashok, Pranavi S. Urs and Mohit H.S. The government has also announced an additional ₹5 lakh participation incentive for each of the eight medal winners, over and above their medal prize money.

Direct Group-B Jobs For Asian, CWG Medallists

In another significant decision, the Karnataka government has announced an opportunity for direct recruitment to Group-B posts for medal winners at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

Eligible sportspersons will be selected through a selection committee headed by the state’s Chief Secretary.

 Four Athletes Brought Under Olympic Scheme

The government has also included Asian Games medallists M.R. Poovamma, Sneha S.S. and Shreyanka Patil, along with Commonwealth Games medallist Shilpa K.S., under the Karnataka Olympic Scheme for 2026-27.

Each of these athletes will receive ₹10 lakh as cash incentive during the current year towards Olympic preparation.

2% Reservation For Sportspersons In Govt Recruitment

Karnataka has further implemented 2% reservation for accomplished sportspersons in direct recruitment to state government posts across Group-A, Group-B, Group-C and Group-D categories.