New Delhi, Jul 18 (IANS): The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is looking to release Rs 7 lakh annual grant to State Olympic Associations (SOA) and National Sports Federations (NSF) who are permanent members of India's National Olympic Council.

IOA President Narinder Batra wrote to members of the Executive Council to approve the release of the funds before July 29.

Batra additionally said in the letter that the units may not necessarily show the relevant documents to receive the grants and that they can do so "by or before" November 30.

Batra's letter comes in response to requests made by Executive Council members B.S. Kushwaha and Rupak Debroy who had asked the IOA to release funds to help NSFs and SOAs in the wake of the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The pair had however asked for a higher amount to be assigned. While Kushwaha had asked for Rs 15 lakh to be given to NSFs and Rs 10 lakh to SOAs, Debroy had asked for "at least Rs 20 lakh" for each affiliated unit.

IOA has been riddled by infighting in recent months and Kushwaha had asked the members to set differences aside and work together to help units financially.