Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu emphasized that offering substantial incentives to medal winners in sports competitions can foster widespread interest in athletics.
In a recent meeting, he reviewed the state’s new sports policy with officials, where several key decisions were made.
The new policy introduces increased rewards for athletes who win medals in the Olympics, Asian Games, World Championships, National Games, Khelo India Games, and National School Games.
Previously, Haryana was leading in sports incentives; however, under the new policy, Andhra Pradesh aims to surpass other states in rewards offered.
Key incentives include:
- Olympic Medals: The reward for a gold medal will increase from ₹75 lakh to ₹7 crore. Silver medalists will now receive ₹5 crore (up from ₹50 lakh), and bronze medalists will be awarded ₹3 crore (up from ₹30 lakh). Additionally, participants in the Olympics will receive ₹50 lakh each.
- Asian Games: Gold medalists will receive ₹4 crore, silver medalists ₹2 crore, and bronze medalists ₹1 crore. Participants will receive an incentive of ₹10 lakh.
- World Championships and World Cups: Gold medalists will be awarded ₹50 lakh, silver medalists ₹35 lakh, and bronze medalists ₹25 lakh.
- National Games: Gold medalists will receive ₹10 lakh, silver medalists ₹5 lakh, and bronze medalists ₹3 lakh.
- Khelo India Games and National School Games: Gold medalists will receive ₹2.5 lakh, silver medalists ₹2 lakh, and bronze medalists ₹1 lakh.
The Chief Minister also announced that winners of medals in the Olympics and Asian Games would be eligible for appointments in Group-1 government positions.
He directed officials to incorporate these changes into the policy draft for approval in the state cabinet.
The review meeting included Andhra Pradesh Sports Minister Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao, SAAP Chairman Animini Ravi Naidu, and other officials.
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