New Delhi, April 2 : The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has released a total of Rs 7.22 crore as an out of pocket allowance (OPA) for 2,509 Khelo India athletes across 21 disciplines, including para athletes, for January to March, as per an official statement on Saturday. A financial assistance of Rs 6.28 lakh was allocated for each residential athlete training at the accredited academies as per the annual Khelo India scholarship scheme. It includes an out of pocket allowance of Rs 1.20 lakh. The OPA (Rs 1.20 lakh annually) is transferred directly to the athlete’s bank account, whereas the rest of the amount is spent on the athlete’s training, food, lodging and education at the Khelo India Academy where the athlete trains. It also included 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. BAV ING