Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, felicitated eight Karnataka athletes who won medals at the Asian Games 2026 during a ceremony held at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. The event also marked the announcement of significantly enhanced cash awards and a string of new athlete welfare measures by the state government.

Athletes Honoured at Vidhana Soudha

The medallists felicitated include Mohit H.S., Aditi Ashok, Puvamma, Ayush Shetty, Tilottama Sen, Shreyank Patil, and Sneha S.S. — all of whom delivered standout performances at the 2026 Asian Games. Also present at the ceremony were Dr. K. Govindaraju, President of the Karnataka Olympic Association, and M.N. Anuchet, Commissioner of the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports.

In a post on X, CM Shivakumar wrote: 'These athletes' historic achievements have swelled the chest of every Kannadiga with pride. Their hard work, determination, and passion for sports serve as the finest inspiration for the youth of our land. May all these talents, in the days ahead, accomplish even greater feats on the international stage, hoisting the flag of honor for our state and nation to the skies. Our government will always stand in steadfast support of the upliftment of sports and athletes.'

Cash Awards Overhauled — Gold Now Worth ₹1 Crore

Deputy CM Parameshwara announced a sweeping revision of the cash prize structure for Asian Games medallists. Under the earlier framework, gold medallists received ₹35 lakh, silver medallists ₹25 lakh, and bronze medallists ₹15 lakh. The revised structure raises these to ₹1 crore for gold, ₹75 lakh for silver, and ₹50 lakh for bronze — nearly tripling the top award. All eight Karnataka medallists at the 2026 Asian Games will receive the enhanced prizes, along with an additional ₹5 lakh participation incentive each.

Notably, this is the first time the state has extended a cash incentive to all participants, not just medal winners. All 20 Karnataka athletes who qualified for and competed at the Asian Games 2026 have been sanctioned ₹5 lakh each, recognising that qualification itself represents a significant sporting milestone.

Employment Security and Olympic Preparation

In a significant policy move, the Karnataka government announced 2 per cent reservation in direct recruitment for accomplished sportspersons across Group-A, Group-B, Group-C, and Group-D posts in all state government departments. A formal notification to this effect was issued on 3 October 2026. Additionally, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medallists will now be eligible for direct recruitment to Group-B posts through a selection committee chaired by the Chief Secretary of Karnataka.

Parameshwara underscored that athletes should not be burdened by post-career employment anxieties, and that the measures are intended to provide long-term security alongside recognition of sporting achievement. This comes amid growing calls across Indian states to offer more structural support to sportspersons beyond one-time cash prizes.

Guri: Olympics Scheme Expanded

Four medallists — M.R. Poovamma, Sneha S.S., Shreyanka Patil, and Shilpa K.S. — have been inducted into the state's 'Guri: Olympics' scheme for 2026–27. Each will receive ₹10 lakh towards Olympic preparation, training, and related requirements. The scheme was introduced to improve Karnataka's representation and performance at the Olympic Games.

With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, the inclusion of these four athletes in the scheme signals the state's intent to build a structured pipeline toward global medals. The Karnataka government's multi-pronged package — covering prizes, employment, and elite training support — is among the more comprehensive state-level athlete welfare frameworks announced this year.