Karnataka’s Incentive for Medal-Winning Athletes Too Low, Says M.R. Poovamma
Mangaluru: The incentives offered by the Karnataka government to athletes who win medals at international and world-level competitions are far too low and should be increased immediately on the lines of other states, said Asian Games gold medallist M.R. Poovamma.
Poovamma, who returned to Mangaluru after winning gold for India in the women’s 4×400-metre relay at the Asian Games, was speaking to reporters at a press conference held at City Centre Mall in the city.
She pointed out that states such as Haryana, Punjab and Kerala offer cash rewards of ₹3 crore to ₹4 crore to Asian Games gold medallists, along with senior government posts equivalent to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP). In contrast, Karnataka offers only ₹35 lakh for a gold medal.
“This disparity should be addressed, and Karnataka’s athletes should be provided the recognition, incentives and facilities they deserve,” she said.
Poovamma said athletes from other states are often congratulated by their respective chief ministers and sports ministers immediately after winning medals. However, despite representing Karnataka for the past 23 years and bringing laurels to the country, she did not receive a single congratulatory call from the state government immediately after winning the Asian Games gold medal.
“When athletes from other states asked me, ‘Who called you from your state?’, I had no answer. I was deeply disappointed,” she said.
She added that it was only after she returned to India that she received calls from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister Dr G. Parameshwara and several others, who congratulated her on her achievement.
Sharing her experience of the competition, Poovamma said the Indian team had won silver at the previous Asian Games. “Therefore, this time we entered the competition with a ‘do or die’ approach and were determined to win gold,” she said.
Despite strong competition from Bahrain and China, the Indian team succeeded in securing a strong lead and eventually clinched the gold medal.
“The moment our national anthem was played at the athletics stadium was an immensely proud moment for every one of us,” Poovamma said.
