New Delhi, June 26 - The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has paid Rs. 100,000 each to 16 hockey players as part of the sponsorship money promised to the athletes heading to the London Olympics.

"All the qualified athletes will be paid Rs. one lakh in advance and the rest will be given to them later. Each athlete going to London will get between Rs. 2.5 to Rs 3 lakh," IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra said here Tuesday.

The hockey team got the amount Sunday as it has already left for Europe and will return after the Olympics.

Malhotra made it clear that in case IOA gets more sponsors before the Games, the money will also be shared between the sportspersons.

Malhotra said that it was a matter of pride that India will send its largest ever Olympic contingent this time.

"So far 82 sports persons from 13 disciplines have made the cut and one or two more athletes are likely to qualify."

Malhotra asked the Olympic-bound athletes to act as ambassadors of the country. "Your conduct on and off the field should be exemplary because you will also not only be playing for the country but also representing it to the world."   (IANS)