Siddaramaiah hints at decision on grace marks for Karnataka athletes

Bengaluru: During the opening ceremony of the recently concluded State Mini Olympics, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the State government is positively looking into the proposal of introducing grace marks in examinations for sportspersons from Karnataka. 

This was once again a topic that was touched upon during the 22nd Karnataka Olympic Association (KOA) awards ceremony held in Yavanika (State Youth Centre) on Sunday evening here when Siddaramaiah reassured of considering the proposal seriously. 

On the recommendation made by KOA president Dr K Govindaraj, the State government is mulling over the nuances before taking a concrete step. Some of the details include student-athletes from both the government and private schools, colleges and universities (up to under-graduation) to benefit from the scheme meant to encourage more participation in sports. 

“The proposal has been made keeping all factors in mind. I have made a suggestion that those who represent the State should be given 5 marks and those representing the country at international level should be rewarded 10 marks,” Govindaraj told to DH. 

“This will be for those athletes under all Olympic disciplines with an international governing body and a national federation,” he added. 

To maintain fair play without affecting the efforts of general students, the proposal also states that only those student-athletes who score 75 marks or below will be eligible for the grace marks. 

“Another suggestion is to reward 25% attendance to athletes who miss school/ college because of competitions. The discussions are underway and CM sir is keenly looking into it,” offered Govindaraj. 

If implemented, Karnataka will become one of the few States in the country apart from Kerala and Punjab to allot grace marks for performing athletes at the school and college level. 

“I have never said no to anything. There is no greater joy than to see someone from our own state doing well in sports on the national and international stage. And for that, my government will provide complete support and encouragement to Karnataka sportspersons to excel. And hence, I will look into these proposals very seriously in the coming days,” expressed Siddaramaiah, who is also in charge of the sports ministry after the ouster of B Nagendra, at the KOA awards ceremony.