Annual Report 2011-12.pdf - Performance Management Division

Chapter – 22
NATIONAL PLAYING FIELDS
ASSOCIATION OF INDIA
The National Playing Fields Association of India (NPFAI) was established in February 2009 as a
Society under the Societies Registration Act 1860. Concerned at the shortage of open spaces and
playing fields in the country and diversion of some existing fields to other activities, it was
considered necessary to evolve an institutional arrangement to protect open spaces and playing
fields. Accordingly, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports took the initiative in setting up the
NPFAI.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports is the chairperson of the NPFAI and the members
include senior officers in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, representatives of State
Governments etc. Eminent persons such as Shri F S Nariman, Shri Bishen Singh Bedi, Smt P T
Usha, Smt Indu puri and Cdr Nandy Singh, among others, are founder members of the Society.
th
The NPFAI was formally launched on 26 February, 2009.
The main objectives of NPFAI are:
• To protect, preserve, promote, develop and improve playing fields and open spaces and other
facilities for sports and games; and
• To evolve a national policy on playing fields, playgrounds, play pitches, parks and
open spaces.
The main focus of the NPFAI would be on protecting and preserving existing playfields and
promoting new ones, apart from developing standards and norms process, for making available
playing fields and open spaces.
The NPFAI received Rs 50.00 lacs as seed money from the National Sport Development Fund in
July 2009.
While the NPFAI will be the apex body, all State Governments would be encouraged to set up
similar societies at the state level, which would be affiliated with the national society. This
initiative is expected to create a national awareness of the social benefits that flow out of playing
fields, playgrounds and open green spaces in terms of quality of life and social inclusiveness. All
102 ✦ Department of Youth Affairs & Sports