The Karnataka state government is poised to revise its financial incentive structure for athletes who achieved success at the recent Asian Games. Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports,
Speaking to reporters near the Vidhana Soudha, Parameshwara noted that he has held discussions with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar regarding the matter. The government intends to benchmark its reward policies against the incentives offered by other states to ensure that Karnataka’s athletes receive competitive financial support. A formal announcement regarding the revised prize money is expected to be made on Tuesday.
Reviewing Incentives Following Athlete Feedback
The decision to revisit the reward policy follows public feedback from prominent athletes, including
In addition to financial concerns, Poovamma had highlighted a lack of communication from state and district officials immediately following her performance in Japan. Addressing these concerns, Parameshwara confirmed that he had personally reached out to Poovamma and several other athletes after their return to India to offer congratulations and discuss their experiences.
The Deputy Chief Minister explained that the government has gathered data on the incentive packages provided by other states and is currently evaluating that information. The upcoming announcement from the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister is expected to clarify the extent of the increases to the state's sports reward policies, aiming to address the athletes' requests for improved support and recognition.
