Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports G. Parameshwara on Monday, 5 October announced that the state government is reconsidering its cash reward structure for medal-winning sportspersons, benchmarking it against incentives offered by other states. A revised prize-money announcement is expected on Tuesday, jointly by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Parameshwara.

Background: What Triggered the Review

The move comes after M.R. Poovamma, a member of the Indian women's 4x400-metre relay team that clinched the gold medal at the Asian Games in Japan, publicly expressed dissatisfaction with Karnataka's cash reward of ₹35 lakh for a gold medal. Poovamma urged the state government to substantially enhance financial support for medal-winning athletes, arguing that other states offer considerably higher incentives.

She also voiced disappointment that no state leaders or district officials reached out to congratulate her immediately after her victory. Chief Minister Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister Parameshwara later contacted her by phone, and Shivakumar personally invited her for a meeting to discuss a revamp of the state's sports reward policies.

What the Government Said

Speaking to reporters near the West Gate of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, Parameshwara confirmed that discussions with the Chief Minister had already taken place. 'We are reconsidering the prize money given to sportspersons in the state by comparing it with other states. I have already discussed this with the Chief Minister. We will announce tomorrow how much prize money should be given to sportspersons,' he said.

Parameshwara added that he had personally spoken to Poovamma and several other athletes. 'We tried to contact and congratulate Poovamma when she was in Japan, but we could not reach her at that time. Within an hour or two of her return to India, I contacted her and spoke to her,' he said.

Comparing Karnataka With Other States

The government has reportedly gathered data on cash incentives provided by other state governments to their respective medallists. 'Sportspersons have told us that higher amounts are being given in other states. We have obtained that information and examined it,' Parameshwara said. Several states, including Haryana and Odisha, are known to offer significantly larger one-time cash awards and post-retirement benefits to Asian and Olympic medallists, setting a benchmark that Karnataka now appears willing to match or exceed.

This is not the first time a state government has come under pressure to enhance athlete incentives following a major international competition. Post-Olympic and post-Asian Games cycles routinely prompt state-level reviews, but athlete-led public criticism of this nature — especially from a gold medallist — tends to accelerate action.

What Happens Next

The revised prize-money structure is set to be announced on Tuesday by Chief Minister Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister Parameshwara. Poovamma has also been invited for a direct meeting with the Chief Minister to discuss broader policy changes aimed at improving long-term financial support for Karnataka's athletes. How the new figures compare with peer states will determine whether the revision is genuinely competitive or merely cosmetic.