{
  "id": 3081018,
  "title": "Maharashtra Expands Cash Prize Scheme To National Games, Khelo India & Para-Sports",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/maharashtra-expands-cash-prize-scheme-to-national-games-khelo-india",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T17:37:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-expands-cash-prize-scheme-to-national-games-khelo-india-para-sports"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai: Maharashtra's Cabinet has approved a significant expansion and revision of the cash prize scheme for medal-winning athletes and their coaches in National Games, Khelo India, para-sports, and more. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The revised scheme aims to recognize athletes' hard work and coaches' contributions at national and international levels. Gold medalists in National Games will receive Rs 7 lakh, silver Rs 5 lakh, and bronze Rs 3 lakh, up from Rs 5 lakh, Rs 3 lakh, and Rs 1.5 lakh respectively earlier. For World University Games, gold winners get Rs 10 lakh, silver Rs 7 lakh, and bronze Rs 5 lakh. Khelo India winners receive Rs 3 lakh, Rs 2 lakh, and Rs 1 lakh for gold, silver, and bronze. The scheme extends to major competitions like the Youth Olympics, Youth Paralympics, and top events in tennis, badminton, and hockey, with substantial prize increases. Coaches will receive 10% of athletes' cash prizes, with coaches divided into three roles: primary and skill-development (30%), final or advanced training (40%), and a maximum of three coaches eligible. The scheme also includes para-sports competitions like Deaflympics, IBSA World Championships, Blind Cricket World Cup, and Special Olympics World Games, with prize money linked to the number of participating countries.",
  "summary": "Mumbai: The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved a major expansion and revision of the state’s cash prize scheme for medal-winning sportspersons and their coaches, bringing National Games, Khelo India and several additional para-sports competitions under its ambit. Maharashtra revises sports scheme The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The revised…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}