Sports

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

Published

1 year 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

Tim David Faces Criticism for Obscene Celebration against Mumbai Indians

Published

1 week ago

May 11, 2026

Namma Kudla

IPL 2026 : In a dramatic IPL 2026 clash, Royal Challengers Bengaluru player Tim David has landed in controversy for allegedly making an obscene gesture after his team’s thrilling win against Mumbai Indians.

The incident took place during the 54th match of the Indian Premier League in Raipur. Batting first, Mumbai Indians scored 167 runs in 20 overs and set a competitive target for RCB.

While chasing the target, Royal Challengers Bengaluru needed 15 runs in the final over. The match went down to the last ball, where RCB required two runs for victory. Rasikh Dar helped the team secure a thrilling win in the final delivery.

Soon after the victory, Tim David, who was in the dugout, was seen allegedly showing his middle finger towards the Mumbai Indians camp during the celebrations. The video of the incident quickly went viral on social media and triggered criticism from cricket fans.

Reports suggest that match officials could take disciplinary action against the Australian batter. Under the ICC Code of Conduct, obscene or offensive gestures are considered a serious offence.

Such behaviour usually falls under Level 1 or Level 2 breaches of the ICC rules. Players found guilty can face fines ranging from 50 percent to 100 percent of their match fees. Demerit points may also be added to their disciplinary record. Repeated offences can even lead to suspension from matches.

Similar incidents have happened in the past as well. In 2012, Virat Kohli was fined 50 percent of his match fee for showing the middle finger to spectators during a match in Sydney.

Cricket is widely known as a “gentleman’s game,” and players are expected to maintain discipline and respect on the field. Tim David’s celebration has now sparked debate among fans and experts about sportsmanship in modern cricket.

Sports

Pooran Super over Call Sparks Criticism

Published

3 weeks ago

April 27, 2026

Namma Kudla

Sports: Lucknow Super Giants’ captain Rishabh Pant faced criticism after a failed Super Over decision against Kolkata Knight Riders. LSG sent Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram to bat, with Pooran on strike against Sunil Narine.

Pooran was bowled on the first ball, leading to heavy criticism from fans. Many questioned the decision, especially because Narine had earlier troubled Pooran in a past Super Over.

LSG coach Justin Langer defended the move. He said the team trusted Pooran as he has faced Narine many times and has a strong record against him. He added that teams must back their best players even in difficult moments.

Langer also said Pooran is one of the best T20 players in recent years but is currently low on confidence. He assured that the team is working hard to help him regain form

Despite being at the bottom of the table, LSG remains hopeful. Langer said the team will use the break to improve and aim to win their remaining matches.

Sports

King Kohli Creates Two Records in One Match

Published

3 weeks ago

April 25, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bengaluru: Virat Kohli made history in a match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium against Gujarat Titans. He achieved two big records in a single game.

Kohli became the first player in Indian Premier League history to hit 800 boundaries. He now has 807 fours. Shikhar Dhawan is second with 768, followed by David Warner and Rohit Sharma.

He also became the third player to hit 300 sixes in IPL. He reached this mark with his first six in the match. Chris Gayle leads with 357 sixes, while Rohit Sharma has 310.