Lok Sabha Question No. 177 (STARRED), answered on 2017-07-27
Subject: National Playing Fields Association of India
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: SANJAY JAISWAL

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *177 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2017

National Playing Fields Association of India

*177. DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  key  initiatives,  progress  and  achievements  of  the  National Playing Fields Association of India during the last three years and the current year; and
- (b) the number of meetings held by its Governing Body during the said period along with the actions taken as a result thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

- (a) to (b) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (b) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *177 FOR 27.07.2017 ASKED BY DR. SANJAY  JAISWAL,  MP,  REGARDING  NATIONAL  PLAYING  FIELDS

ASSOCIATION OF INDIA

- (a) National  Playing  Field  Association  of  India  (NPFAI)  has  been set  up  by  this  Ministry  with  a  view  to  promoting,  protecting  and preserving  playing  fields  across  the  country.  The  NPFAI  has  been registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 on 24.02.2009.

So far, seven States, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal  Pradesh,  Mizoram,  Odisha,  Madhya  Pradesh  and  Rajasthan have formed State Playing Fields Associations and registered under the Societies  Act.  In  addition,  Five  States,  namely,  Karnataka,  Kerala, Manipur,  Tripura  and  West  Bengal  have  created  State  Playing  Field Association under Government orders.

All States/ Union Territories (UTs) have been requested to take necessary steps for promoting protecting and preserving playing fields in their respective States by forming State level association by State Sports Department and preparing a State wide database of such fields.

- (b) The  governing body meeting  of the NPFAI  was  held  on 06.06.2017 under my Chairmanship. The important decisions taken in the meeting are summarized below:-
- i. Playfield  development  needs  to  be  taken  up  at  Schools  level, University level, Community level and Rural level.
- ii. A  National  inventory  of  playgrounds,  as  well  as  other  sports infrastructure  need  to  be  developed  by  geo-tagging  all  such infrastructure with other vital and relevant information and put in public domain.
- iii. A structured user-friendly portal will be developed by Department of Sports for gathering and compiling this information  at  four  layers,  namely,  National  level  (comprising
- organs  of  the  Central  Government),  State  Level,  District  Level and Local body level.
- iv. Open Space Management  in Town  Planning needs to be recognized and given due emphasis for development of playgrounds,  especially  in  Smart  cities.  Department  of  Sports will prepare a draft policy drawing from global best practices in this regard and forward it to the Ministry of Urban Development for consideration and incorporation in Town Planning guidelines.

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