Gold and silver haul by MR Puvamma sparks hope for increased cash rewards

After securing a gold medal in the women’s 4x400 m relay and a silver in the mixed 4x400 m relay at the Asian Games 2026, M.R. Puvamma was welcomed at Bengaluru’s airport amid applause.

The veteran runner, celebrating her sixth Asian Games appearance, said the medals were a testament to the “return of the Golden Girls” after a disappointing previous edition for Indian athletics. She expressed satisfaction in adding two more medals to her career tally.

Puvamma recounted that when she first earned a medal at the Asian Games, the Karnataka government did not reach out, while her peers received calls from the chief minister and sports minister. This time, she received personal phone calls and promises of a higher cash incentive from the deputy chief minister and other officials.

She now looks forward to an official state honour and an increase in the monetary award, urging the government to set a precedent that matches or exceeds the benefits given by other states. “Such encouragement will boost the morale of upcoming athletes,” she concluded.