Karnataka's World Cup-winning Kho-Kho players express dismay at lack of cash award from state govt

New Delhi: Two sportspersons from Karnataka who were part of the 2025 Kho-Kho World Cup-winning men's and women's national teams have expressed their unhappiness over the lack of recognition and cash awards from the state government

M K Gowtham from Maddur in Mandya district and Chaithra from Kurubur village in T. Narsipur taluk in Mysuru district were in national kho-kho men and women teams respectively, both of which won the Kho-Kho World Cup 2025, which was recently held in Delhi

This was the first time a Kho-Kho World Cup was organised and 23 countries took part in the event.

Gowtham, who works as a postman in HSR Layout in Bengaluru, told media here that while other states announced cash awards for team members of their states, Karnataka hasn't announced anything so far.

“Cash awards would encourage others to enter the sports field. I hope the state government announces the reward soon,” he said.

Chaithra, who works at Bengaluru airport, said, “The state government should provide permanent jobs and cash awards whenever the sports persons win national and international events.”

Since we are from a poor family background, cash awards would help to prepare future sports events, she said.

"While governments always rush to announce the cash awards to cricket teams, the BCCI is cash rich, hardly any recognition is given for us achieved in indigenous sports," she said.

Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy, who felicitated these two players, told media that the Karnataka Government must announce cash awards to sportspersons who play indigenous sports also.