Sports Authority of India (SAI) has deposited Rs.30,000 each to 2,749 Khelo India athletes as out of pocket allowance (OPA) amid the COVID-19 lockdown. The total sum of the amount is Rs.8.25 crore in all.
SAI announced that a total of 2893 athletes will be given the OPA for the period. The funds for the remaining 144 athletes will be transferred by the end of May 2020.
The allowance is for the first quarter of 2020-21.
Athletes from 35 states and union territories (UTs) were given the allowances in 21 sporting disciplines.
The maximum number of the athletes are from Maharashtra (386), Haryana (381), Delhi (225), Punjab (202) and Tamil Nadu (165).
The OPA is Rs.1.20 lakh allotted annually. It is a part of the Khelo India scholarship of Rs.6.28 lakh that is given to each athlete selected under the scheme.