Sports

Ministry Updates Cash Incentive Policy, Eliminates Cash Prizes for Young Athletes

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2025

The sports ministry has broadened its cash incentive policy to include more sports disciplines, rewarding medalists in Mallakhamba, e-sports, and break-dancing. However, the ministry has decided to eliminate cash rewards for junior and sub-junior athletes, even those competing in Olympic events.

A new list of 51 eligible sports has been released, which encompasses all events featured in the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and World University Games. This list also includes kho-kho, which recently held its inaugural World Cup in Delhi, as well as Kurash (a form of wrestling from Central Asia) and Ju-Jitsu (a martial art originating from Japan).

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The ministry continues to offer cash rewards for para-athletes, increasing the prize money for medalists in events featuring deaf, blind, and intellectually challenged athletes. Gold medalists at world events can now earn up to Rs 20 lakh, an increase from the previous maximum of Rs 10 lakh.

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The updated policy also focuses on enhancing incentives for coaches, providing them with specific percentages of the cash rewards earned by their athletes, across grassroots, developmental, and elite levels.

Despite the changes, the ministry has not explained the removal of cash awards for junior athletes, who heavily depended on these incentives to support their equipment, nutrition, and training.

Previously, a junior athlete could receive slightly over Rs 13 lakh for winning gold at a quadrennial world championship, which was one-third of the prize for senior athletes. Sub-junior athletes could earn approximately Rs 6.66 lakh for top placements at similar competitions.

According to the ministry’s circular, the policy revision aims to “simplify the disbursement of cash incentives to medal winners in international sports events and their coaches.”

This new policy took effect on February 1.

While the prize amounts for medalists largely remain the same—with Olympic gold medalists eligible for the highest reward of Rs 75 lakh—the ministry clarified that no monetary prizes would be awarded for events with fewer than four participating teams.

As in the previous policy, full prize money will be granted when there are at least 16 countries participating in individual events or 12 in team events. Rewards will be halved if participation falls below eight for individual and six for team events.

“At any international sports event, an athlete can only receive cash incentives for their highest-ranking medal when winning multiple medals in either individual or team categories,” the ministry stated.

“However, in the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, and Para-Asian Games, athletes who secure multiple medals in individual or team categories will receive cash incentives for each medal earned,” they added.

Furthermore, the ministry has removed the South Asian Games from the list of events eligible for cash rewards. Chess players, formerly entitled to Rs 4 lakh upon achieving the Grandmaster title, will no longer qualify for this payout.

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Sports

Suresh Raina Opposes IPL Impact Player Rule

Published

1 week ago

September 5, 2026

Namma Kudla

Mumbai: Former Chennai Super Kings player Suresh Raina has opposed the Impact Player rule in the IPL.

Raina said the rule gives batters an extra advantage and puts more pressure on bowlers. He noted that teams are now scoring 200-plus runs more frequently, with some even approaching the 300-run mark.

“Bowlers have nothing left,” Raina said, adding that the rule has made their job much harder.

Former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma and several other players have also criticised the rule.

The Impact Player rule allows teams to replace one player during a match with a batter or bowler, depending on the situation. The rule was first tested in the 2022-23 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy before being introduced in the IPL in 2023.

Sports

Messi Announces Retirement from International Football

Published

2 weeks ago

September 1, 2026

Namma Kudla

Sports: Football legend and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 39.

Messi shared the emotional decision through a post on Instagram. He said that the decision was painful but felt that it was the right time to step away from the national team.

His retirement came after Argentina’s defeat against Spain in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Argentina lost the final 1-0 at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.

Messi had led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022. Argentina defeated France in a dramatic penalty shootout in the final held in Doha, Qatar.

Messi made his international debut for Argentina in August 2005. During his remarkable international career, he played 207 matches and scored 125 goals for his country.

He also appeared in six FIFA World Cups and became one of the greatest players in the history of football.

Messi’s retirement marks the end of a glorious international career that spanned more than two decades. His decision has left football fans around the world emotional.

Entertainment

Cristiano Ronaldo Marries Longtime Partner Georgina Rodriguez

Published

1 month ago

August 14, 2026

Namma Kudla

Sports: Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has married his longtime partner, Georgina Rodriguez, in a private ceremony.

Ronaldo reportedly tied the knot with Georgina on Tuesday, August 11. The couple surprised fans by sharing an official wedding photo on social media.

The picture shows Ronaldo and Georgina holding hands while wearing their wedding rings. The couple appeared happy as they marked the special occasion.

The wedding took place in Cascais, a picturesque coastal town near Portugal’s capital, Lisbon. The ceremony was kept extremely private, with only their five children reportedly attending the occasion.

Ronaldo and Georgina first met in Madrid in 2016. They have been together for nearly a decade.

The couple has five children: Cristiano Jr., twins Eva and Mateo, Alana Martina, and Bella Esmeralda.

Ronaldo is one of the most decorated footballers in the world. He has scored a record 146 goals for Portugal in international football and has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award five times.

He recently represented Portugal at the FIFA World Cup, making it the sixth World Cup of his career. At club level, Ronaldo currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.

He is expected to return to action when the new domestic season begins on Saturday.