New Delhi: For the months of April-June, the Sports Authority of India sanctioned a total of Rs 6.52 crore as Out of Pocket Allowance (OPA) for 2,189 Khelo India athletes in 21 categories including Para.
"A financial assistance of Rs 6.28 lakhs is allocated for each residential athlete training at the accredited academies as per the annual Khelo India scholarship scheme. That includes an out of pocket allowance of Rs 1.20 lakh," a SAI release stated.
The OPA (Rs. 1.20 lakh per annum) is transferred directly to the bank account of the athlete and the balance is spent on the athlete's training, meals, accommodation and education at the Khelo India Academy where these athlete are trained, according to PTI.
"It also includes expenses towards travel to hometown, diet charges while at home and other miscellaneous expenses incurred by the athletes. The funding has been done as per the Khelo India Talent Development (KITD) Scheme," the release added.