Karnataka enhances Ekalavya cash award

Bengaluru: The Ekalavya awards for Karnataka’s best athletes will come with an enhanced cash incentive of Rs 4 lakh from this year.The state government, which invited applications for sports awards recently, doubled the cash component in an obvious attempt to encourage sportspersons but reiterated that only those who have turned out for Karnataka at the national level for five years would be eligible.The hike was long overdue as the cash amount in Ekalavya awards was increased to Rs 2 lakh from Rs 1 lakh around 15 years ago. The government has also ushered in an elaborate points system to determine the winners, similar to the CET sports quota list.Medals at the Olympics and Paralympics fetch maximum points, with gold fetching 100, silver 99 and bronze 98. These are followed by World Cup, World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Championships and Commonwealth Championships.Youth Olympics, junior or youth World Cup head the age group events at the global and continental levels with the government treating all the achievements on par.SAF Games find a place a rung below but much above official international sports meets in which national teams, funded by the Union sports ministry, take part.This is followed by National Games, National Championships and all-India inter-university and Khelo India University games and All-India inter-university meets, age group Nationals and Khelo India Games.Participation will be recognised in every event with athletes earning points commensurate to the level of sport. For example, participation at the Olympics or Paralympics fetch 97 points.Senior and age group events which are not part of the Olympics, Asian Games and CWG, receive the least number of points.Athletes have been asked to rank their achievements in the 2018-2022 period with the selection committee considering the three best feats of each athlete for the award. The fourth will be considered only in case of a tie.The last date for applications has been extended to December 8.Other awards: Karnataka Kreeda Ratna (rural sports): Rs 2 lakh (up from Rs 1 lakh); Sports promoters: Rs 10 lakh (Rs 5 lakh); Lifetime achievement awards for coaches: Rs 3 lakh (Rs 1 lakh).
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