Shattered Dreams? The Hidden Truth Behind the 2025 Revision of Cash Award Scheme

On January 31, 2025, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, introduced a revision to the “Scheme of Cash Awards to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches.”

A revision to a cash award scheme is typically seen as a positive move, often signaling the streamlining of processes or an increase in cash incentives, or even both. However, despite the presentation of this revision as a step forward, the underlying changes in the scheme may unintentionally impede the progress of Indian sports.

While the revised policy may have been drafted with good intentions, its implications for the development of athletes at the Junior and Sub-Junior levels, and its long-term impact on the broader sports ecosystem, raise critical concerns. These changes, particularly the removal of financial incentives for younger athletes, could threaten the very foundation of India’s future sports successes.

Misleading Justification & Hidden Agenda

The revision states that the existing cash award scheme has been amended “in order to simplify the disbursement of cash incentives to the medal winners in international sports events and their coaches.” However, the stated justification appears to overlook the fact that a significant portion of the cash incentives from the previous policy has been removed.

By presenting the policy revision as a ‘simplification,’ there seems to be an attempt to downplay the significant impact of reduced financial support, which could have serious consequences for the future of Indian sports.

In this article, we shed light on the cash incentives that have been quietly removed, examine their potential impact on the future of Indian sports, and try to understand how it is possible to nurture world-class athletes while reducing support at the sub-junior and junior levels. We shall also touch upon the sport of Chess in particular, which, in particular, has been significantly impacted by these changes.

Brief History of the Cash Awards

The “Scheme of Cash Awards to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches” was first introduced by the Government of India in 1986.

The primary objective of this scheme is to incentivize outstanding sportspersons, encourage and motivate them for higher achievements, and to act as inspiring role models for attracting the younger generation to take up sports.

The scheme has undergone several revisions, mainly on July 5, 2018 followed by March 11, 2020, and July 8, 2022, and now, on January 31, 2024.

At least in the context of chess, the revisions since 2018 appear to have primarily focused on procedural changes aimed at streamlining the application process for medal winners and their coaches. For the most part, the amounts earmarked for the cash awards have remained unchanged for nearly a decade, despite the policy stating that “the amount of award money… may be increased once every four years based on recommendations from a committee chaired by the Secretary (Sports), including the Ministry’s Financial Adviser.”

Far from increasing cash awards, the recent revision comes as a surprise, as it outright removes key incentives that have been an integral part of this policy for years.

Major Cuts Under the Pretext of Simplifying Disbursement of Cash Awards

This revision of the scheme significantly reshapes the financial incentives for Indian athletes in several key ways:

Withdrawal of Awards at Junior and Sub-Junior Levels: A Huge Concern!

The revised scheme has eliminated cash awards for Sub-Junior (Under-16) and Junior (Under-20) level competitions across all sports disciplines.

Previously, junior-level athletes were entitled to one-third of the senior-level cash award, while sub-junior athletes received one-sixth. Though the amounts were relatively modest, they played a crucial role in motivating and nurturing young talent.

Commonwealth Championships Exclusion: A Major Setback

The revised scheme has removed cash awards for all Commonwealth Championships — whether annual, bi-annual, or quadrennial — across all sports, except for Para-Athletes. Only the Commonwealth Games remain eligible for incentives, leaving out disciplines like chess which are not part of the Commonwealth Games.

Historically, Indian athletes have excelled at the Commonwealth Championships, using them as a crucial stepping stone to higher levels of competition. By withdrawing financial support for these achievements, the policy change diminishes the value of a key platform that has long helped young athletes gain recognition and progress in their sporting careers.

Withdrawing incentives for chess players: A Brutal Blow!

The revised scheme has eliminated cash awards for chess players achieving prestigious titles such as International Grandmaster (IGM), International Master (IM), and Woman International Master (WIM).

Chess has been one of India’s most successful sports on the global stage, consistently producing Grandmasters and rising talents. Attaining titles like IGM, IM, and WIM represents a significant milestone in a player’s career, but the journey is financially demanding. The costs associated with coaching and tournament participation often exceed one crore rupees by the time a player achieves the Grandmaster title.

Previously, the government acknowledged these challenges and supported young chess achievers with financial incentives — ₹1.5 lakh for IM and WIM titles and ₹4 lakh for the GM title.

The earlier policy explicitly recognized chess as a unique sport where, in addition to winning medals, players earn prestigious titles through consistent high-level performance. The policy stated: “In Chess, apart from awarding medals or positions in Championships, certain titles are also awarded for creditable performances in standard events, which is something unique in Chess. Therefore, Cash Awards will be available not only for winning the international championships but also for winning the title given by FIDE (International Chess Federation), provided the concerned sportsperson wins it before the age of twenty years.”

What led to this sudden change in stance? Why has this crucial recognition been withdrawn when chess continues to thrive and bring international accolades to India?

What About Earlier Dues?

A pressing concern arises regarding the pending dues of athletes who achieved awards in 2024 under the previous policy, with applications still awaiting processing in the online portal.

Take the case of Ethan Vaz — In January 2024, at just 12 years and 4 months old, Ethan became the World’s Youngest International Master of Chess (as of the date of achievement). Later in the year, he secured his 16th medal for India, winning Gold at the Commonwealth Chess Championships in Sri Lanka in the Sub-Junior (Under-16) category.

Both the International Master (IM) title and the Commonwealth Sub-Junior Gold Medal were eligible for cash incentives under the existing Cash Awards Scheme at the time. However, despite submitting applications months ago, the status remains “Pending” with no updates — a stark reminder that even a digital system is only as efficient as its weakest manual process.

A glimmer of hope lies in the fact that the revised policy takes effect from February 1, 2025, and not retrospectively. This suggests that awards earned before this date should still be honored under the previous guidelines. Whether these incentives will be granted remains uncertain, but, for now, athletes can continue to hold on to hope — because, at the end of the day, the world lives on hope, and so does every sportsperson.

So, What’s the Rationale Behind the Changes?

At first glance, the rationale behind the recent revision might appear to be a shift towards focusing funding on elite, senior-level athletes. However, upon closer inspection, this does not seem to be the case.

The revision does not suggest a rerouting of the funds allocated for Sub-Junior and Junior level awards to senior-level athletes, as there has been no increase in the cash incentives for senior-level sportspersons.

In fact, the revision appears to aim solely at reducing the overall allocation of funds for these awards—a regressive step for a country that claims to aspire for sporting excellence.

Despite the scheme being long overdue for an increase in cash awards, this downward revision stands in stark contrast to what might have been expected.

Ultimately, this revision undermines the very foundation necessary for nurturing a robust, competitive sports culture in India, creating a setback that could hinder the development of future sporting talent.

In Contravention of the Draft National Sports Policy, 2024?

The Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, New Delhi, was in the process of framing National Sports Policy (NSP), 2024 for the development of sports and providing a roadmap to achieve excellence in sports in the country. The NSP, 2024 Framework document envisages Nation Building through the Power of Sports with focus on excellence on the global stage, sports for economic development, sports for social development and making sport a people’s movement. The tagline of NSP 2024 is “Sports for Nation Building to Harness the Power of Sports for Nation’s Holistic Development in Amrit Kaal”

As stated in the draft, “India, with its favorable demographic dividend and rapidly growing economy, stands at a crucial juncture in its journey towards becoming a global leader. As one of the youngest nations in the world, with a fifth of the global youth population (i.e. between the age group 15-29), India possesses immense potential to leverage sports as a catalyst for national development.” It further states that The NSP 2024 is designed to align with the principles outlined in the ‘Viksit Bharat,’ emphasizing development of sports as a mass movement, broad-based economic growth, and bridging the gap between public and private sector performance.

However, these lofty ambitions seem to be at odds with the recent revision of the Cash Awards Scheme. What is especially difficult to reconcile is that despite acknowledging India’s young population as a major asset in its journey toward global leadership, the revision has completely removed the cash incentives for Sub-Junior and Junior level athletes. This move seems to contradict the very vision laid out in the Draft National Sports Policy 2024, undermining its goals of nurturing young talent and building a competitive sports culture.

The Role of Incentives in Sports Development

Incentives, especially financial ones, are fundamental in shaping a country’s sports culture. At the Junior and Sub-Junior levels, athletes need both motivation and support to commit to demanding training regimens and competition schedules. While some mainstream sports benefit from substantial corporate sponsorship, many Olympic and non-mainstream sports rely significantly on government support to nurture young talent.

By eliminating cash awards for younger athletes, the revised policy removes a crucial motivator for both the athletes and their families. These families often make considerable financial sacrifices to support their child’s journey in sports, and the removal of these incentives threatens to undermine the development of future talent.

Chess-Specific Impact: Unlike physically demanding sports that require expensive infrastructure, chess is a sport of intellect, strategy, and long-term discipline. Financial incentives, such as cash awards for Junior and Sub-Junior players, have historically played a pivotal role in motivating young talent to pursue chess professionally. Without this crucial support, emerging chess players will face considerable challenges in sustaining their competitive careers, potentially stalling the growth of the next generation of champions.

The Immediate Impact on Athletes and Their Families

Athletes at the Junior and Sub-Junior levels depend on financial support for coaching, tournament fees, travel, and accommodation expenses for international events. The previous policy recognized this financial strain and provided essential cash incentives to help young athletes compete on the global stage.

With the removal of these incentives, the immediate consequences may include:

1. Reduced Participation in International Championships: Parents of promising young athletes may hesitate to fund expensive international trips, leading to fewer and possibly less competitive Indian representatives in key tournaments. Even with the existing cash incentives, winning a gold medal for the country was unlikely to cover the entire cost of international tournaments. However, these incentives were an important motivational factor. Removing such support seems unjustifiable, especially when aiming to develop talent.
2. Increased Dropout Rates: Without financial rewards at an early stage, many talented athletes may turn to more financially viable career paths, abandoning their sports ambitions. If the government is moving backward in supporting young athletes, it becomes difficult to see how the country can progress in sports development.
3. Greater Dependence on Private Sponsors: While elite players may attract sponsorships, younger athletes in their formative years struggle to secure financial backing. The removal of existing cash incentives for international medals is a harsh blow to any emerging sportsperson and further deepens the reliance on private sponsors who may not always be willing to invest in early-stage talent.

Chess-Specific Impact: Unlike cricket or football, chess lacks significant commercial sponsorship in India. Most young chess players rely on fragmented support to cover their competitive expenses. Without these financial incentives, participation in international junior-level chess events is likely to decline, resulting in fewer Indian players striving for early international recognition. The only exception may be a select few affluent players who don’t rely on such support. This shift threatens to dampen the growth of emerging chess talent and reduce India’s presence on the global chess stage.

Long-Term Consequences: A Declining Sports Culture?

The removal of cash awards for Junior and Sub-Junior categories raises a critical question: How can the government expect to develop world-class athletes when it fails to support them during the most crucial developmental stages of their careers?

The long-term consequences of this policy could be far-reaching and detrimental to India’s sporting landscape:

1. Shrinking Talent Pool: Without financial incentives, fewer children will pursue sports seriously. As a result, the number of athletes with the potential to achieve international success will be dramatically reduced. Talent that could have flourished at the Junior and Sub-Junior levels may be lost to other pursuits.
2. Global Setback: India has been one of the fastest-growing sporting nations in recent years, making significant strides in disciplines like wrestling, boxing, weightlifting, badminton, and more. This policy, however, risks reversing that progress, giving other countries with better funding structures and support systems an opportunity to surpass India. If India doesn’t invest in nurturing young talent, it may soon find itself trailing behind its global competitors.
3. Erosion of a Thriving Sports Ecosystem: Coaches, academies, sports organizations, and grassroots initiatives rely on a constant influx of young talent to sustain their operations. With fewer young athletes coming through the pipeline, the entire sports ecosystem, including training facilities, sponsorships, and grassroots programs, will experience a decline. This erosion will impact all levels of the sporting infrastructure, further hindering the development of talent.

Chess-Specific Impact: India has emerged as a global chess powerhouse, with young players achieving international recognition at early ages. Chess requires a foundation built in the formative years, with rigorous training, development, and competitive exposure. Many of India’s top chess players have risen to prominence due to the motivation provided by earlier incentives for young talent. Without these incentives, fewer young players will be able to pursue competitive chess, and the country’s dominance in the global chess arena could gradually diminish. While elite players may still continue, the lack of support for younger players will result in a shrinking pool of new talent and a reduced presence of Indian players in major international competitions. In the long run, India’s position as a leader in the global chess scene may be at risk if young talents are unable to pursue their dreams due to the financial barriers created by this policy shift.

The Way Forward: A Call for Policy Reassessment

To mitigate the negative consequences of the revised policy and ensure continued growth in India’s sporting ecosystem, the government must reassess its approach and take the following steps:

1. Reintroduce Junior and Sub-Junior Cash Awards: Even though the earlier incentives for Sub-Junior and Junior-level medal achievements were only a fraction of the costs incurred for participating in the corresponding championships, they served as a significant motivational factor for both players and parents. The financial burden of travel, coaching, and tournament participation, particularly for international events, is substantial, and these awards played an essential role in alleviating some of that pressure. Without this support, many young athletes may be discouraged from pursuing their dreams of competing at the highest levels. Reintroducing these incentives would demonstrate the government’s commitment to nurturing future talent and sustaining the growth of sports in India. It would help ensure that talented young athletes, regardless of their socio-economic background, have an equal opportunity to represent India on the global stage. This small yet meaningful financial support could prove to be the crucial factor in propelling India’s emerging sports stars toward international success. Therefore, the government should seriously consider reinstating these incentives, not only as a motivational tool but also in the interest of strengthening the nation’s sporting future.
2. Recognize Commonwealth Championships Across Sports: If a particular sport is not included in the Commonwealth Games, its achievements at the Commonwealth Championships should still be recognized and rewarded. These championships are a significant platform for many athletes, and their accomplishments deserve to be celebrated in the same way as those in the Commonwealth Games. Supporting athletes at all levels of competition will send the message that every achievement matters.
3. Bring Back Incentives for Chess Titles: The incentives provided for chess titles, although modest, acted as a crucial motivator for young players to pursue their careers. Removing these awards, especially in the absence of sufficient alternative funding or sponsorship, is a shortsighted decision that undermines the development of India’s chess talent. Reinstating these rewards, even at a modest level, would be a step in the right direction.
4. Encourage Public-Private Partnerships for Funding: To ensure the sustainability of financial support for young athletes, the government must foster stronger collaborations between the public and private sectors. Corporate sponsorships, alongside government-backed scholarships, could bridge the financial gap for young athletes across various disciplines. These partnerships could be key in creating a more robust financial infrastructure to support emerging talent.

Chess-Specific Recommendation: Given that chess, unlike many mainstream sports, does not attract significant corporate sponsorships in India, a dedicated funding mechanism should be established to support young chess players. This fund could be used to cover tournament fees, travel expenses, coaching costs, and other necessary support to ensure that India continues to nurture talent that can succeed on the international stage. By creating a system of sustained support for young chess players, the country can ensure its continued success in global competitions and maintain its leadership position in the world of chess.

The Bigger Picture: A Short-sighted Policy for Indian Sports

While this article highlights the immediate and long-term consequences of the policy revision for athletes across various disciplines, its impact is particularly profound on the future of Indian sports as a whole. By cutting incentives at the Junior and Sub-Junior levels, the government is undermining its own vision for achieving excellence in sports. The policy revision signals a shift in priority from grassroots development to elite-level performance. However, this shift fails to account for the fact that without a strong and sustained pipeline of young athletes, the number of senior-level competitors—who could one day earn national and international recognition—will inevitably dwindle.

This creates a paradox: If India is not investing in the development of its future sports stars today, whom does it expect to reward with cash incentives at the senior level in the coming years? The foundation of any successful sporting culture rests on nurturing young talent and ensuring that the athletes of tomorrow are equipped with the necessary resources to reach their full potential. Without this investment, the entire framework for sporting excellence collapses, making it unlikely for India to produce a consistent stream of world-class athletes.

The revision not only undermines the growth of future champions but also risks reversing the hard-won progress made across various sports disciplines. In a rapidly evolving global sports landscape, where nations invest heavily in youth development, India’s failure to do so could significantly hamper its aspirations for sporting glory on the world stage.

Long Live Sportspersons!

The 2025 revision to the Cash Awards Policy appears to have been introduced hastily, with little regard for the sportspersons it affects, and its consequences threaten the future of Indian sports. By entirely eliminating financial support for Sub-Junior and Junior athletes, the government has created a scenario where emerging young talent will find it even harder to break through, potentially leading to stagnation in India’s sporting success in the long term.

If India truly aspires to produce world-class athletes, nurturing them from the ground up is crucial. Expecting senior-level excellence without the necessary support and incentives at the developmental stages is not only unrealistic but counterproductive. The elimination of these incentives may prevent many talented young athletes from ever realizing their potential, and without this early-stage encouragement, India risks losing its place as a growing sports powerhouse. This could have a devastating impact on the broader sporting culture, with ripple effects felt across all disciplines, including chess.

However, despite these setbacks, there is always hope. A large part of India’s sporting excellence has come from individual grit and determination—the stories of athletes who have triumphed against all odds, often without the support of the establishment or corporate sponsors, only to later be celebrated once they achieve success. Even with fewer incentives from the government, these athletes continue to strive, driven by a deep passion for their sport.

In the end, perhaps it’s this very resilience that makes Indian sportspersons unique. They persevere regardless of the odds, driven by sheer love for their craft, and will continue to shine on the global stage. So, even if the government pulls back its support, one thing remains certain: India’s athletes will continue to rise and make their mark. Long live Indian sportspersons!

Team #EthanVaz
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