NATIONAL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT FUND

WHAT IS NSDF?

• National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) was established in 1998 under the Charitable Endowments Act 1890;

• It was notified by Government of India in November, 1998;

• Purpose of creation is to impart momentum and flexibility to assisting the cause of sports;

• The Fund helps sportspersons excel by providing them opportunities to train under coaches of international repute with technical, scientific and psychological support and giving them exposure to international competitions;

• The Fund also provides financial assistance for development of infrastructure and other activities for promotion of sports;

• Role of the Fund is supplementary to the overall policy and activities of the Department of Sports in achieving excellence in sports.

OBJECTIVES OF NSDF

• To administer and apply the moneys of the Fund for promotion of sports in general and specific sports disciplines and individual sports persons in particular for achieving excellence at the National and of International level;
• To impart special training and coaching in relevant sports disciplines to sports persons, coaches and sports specialists;
• To construct and maintain infrastructure for promotion of sports and games;
• To supply sports equipments to organizations and individuals for promotion of sports and games;
• To identify problems and take up research and development studies for providing support to excellence in sports;
• To promote international cooperation, in particular, exchanges which may promote the development of sports;
• To provide low-interest or interest-free loans for projects and activities related to any of the aforesaid objects.

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF NSDF

Council of NSDF

 The Fund is managed by a Council constituted by the Central Government. Union Minister in charge of Youth Affairs and Sports is the Chairperson of the Council. Members of the Council include senior Officers of the Department of Sports, Chairman & Managing Directors of Private and Public Sector Companies / Corporations, representatives of Sports Promotion Boards, etc.

 The Council decides all policy matters relating to the Fund.

Executive Committee

 The day to day working of the Fund is managed by an Executive Committee headed by Secretary (Sports). The Executive Committee meets as often as necessary, but normally not less than four times a year.

HOW IS MONEY SPENT FROM NSDF?

• Applications/proposals from individual sportspersons for financial assistance for training and purchase of equipment are considered and decided by the Executive Committee.
• The Committee takes decisions based on the past performance and future potential of the applicants.
• Domain experts are also consulted wherever necessary.
• Sports Authority of India and the concerned National Sports Federations are normally consulted before selection of sportspersons.
• Proposals for financial assistance from reputed organization/institutes, engaged in promotion of sports, for development of sports infrastructure, procurement of equipment and other sports activities are also considered and decided by the Executive Committee.
• Decisions of the Executive Committee are implemented by the NSDF Secretariat.
• Guidelines have been formulated to streamline the processing of proposals under NSDF without compromising the in-built element of flexibility available in the Scheme.
• Accounts of the NSDF are audited by C & AG. Annual reports, alongwith audited statements of accounts are placed in both the Houses of Parliament.

PURPOSES FOR WHICH CONTRIBUTION CAN BE MADE TO NSDF

• For establishment and up gradation of sports infrastructure.
• For promotion of specific sports disciplines.
• For training of specific sportspersons.
• For research projects in sports.
• For upgradation of SAI centres.
• For sports promotion in general.

Note: It is permissible for a donor to indicate a project  along with  any specific location / aspect for funding and also an executing agency for execution of the project, if the amount being contributed is Rs.5 lakh (Rupees five lakh) and above

ADVANTAGES OF CONTRIBUTING TO NSDF

• Donor can suggest execution of specific projects while making donations to the Fund.
• Fulfilment of CSR obligations of companies under the Companies Act, 2013. Sports activities like training to promote sports and creation and maintenance of sports infrastructure are covered under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
• Contribution to the Fund is exempt from Income Tax under Section 80 (G) of the Income Tax Act.
• Due credit is given to donors in the Ministry’s publications, media releases, etc.
• Goodwill for donors.
• Meetings of donors with dignitaries.
• Consideration for Khel Protsahan Puraskar which is given away by the President of India every year.
• Athlete appearances for donors who contribute at least one crore a year.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO NSDF

• Fund accepts contributions from statutory bodies, international organizations, private and public corporate sectors, trusts, societies and individuals
• Government of India makes matching contribution
• Major contributions to the NSDF (Rupees one crore and above) are from the following sources;

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM NSDF

• As on 30.11.2019, 389 sportspersons have been given financial assistance of Rs.64.88 crore by NSDF for their customized training individually and in groups.
• Assistance given to sports federations for organizing group training/camps as part of preparation of players for Olympics and other international competitions; such assistance covered several other sportspersons indirectly.
• The beneficiaries include Olympic Medalists Shri Abhinav Bindra, Col Rajavardhan Rathore, Ms MC Mary Kom and Ms P V Sindhu; Paralympic Medalist, Ms Deepa Malik and World Champions Ronjan Sodhi and Ms Heena Sidhu.
• NSDF has extended support for organizing some major tournaments/competitions
• Total NSDF assistance extended to sports organisations as on 30.11.2019 is Rs 127.28 crore.
• Assistance of Rs.111.71 crore has been given to some Organizations/Institutes for development of infrastructure/up-gradation of existing sports facilities ass per details hereunder:

TARGET OLYMPIC PODIUM (TOP) SCHEME

• A programme, namely TOP (Target Olympic Podium) Scheme has been formulated within the overall ambit of NSDF with the objective of identifying and supporting potential medal prospects for 2020 Olympic Games.
• The selected athletes are provided financial assistance for their customized training at Institutes having world class facilities and other necessary support.
• Benchmark for selection of athletes under the scheme is in relation to international standards and consistency in performance.
• The athletes, who are prospective medal winners are identified through a process of research and consultation with NSFs and National Coaches and Experts of the relevant disciplines.
• The NSDF has so far placed Rs.48.50 crore at the disposal of Sports Authority of India (SAI) to meet the training / travel / providing of equipment to the athletes selected in TOPS. In addition, all the athletes selected in TOPS are also provided Rs.50,000/- per month as an Out of Pocket Allowance, which is credited directly by the NSDF to the athletes’ bank accounts.
• Review of performance of selected athletes is made from time to time.
• Of the total 389 athletes supported by the NSDF, about 86 athletes are currently under TOP Scheme for being groomed for Tokyo Olympics 2020. The list is  augmented with the ongoing process of selection of more athletes under different sports disciplines.

ATHLETES SUPPORTED BY NSDF DISCIPLINE-WISE

IMPORTANCE OF CORPORATE CONTRIBUTION FOR PROMOTION OF SPORTS

• Excellent performance in Olympic and other international sports events is a matter of national prestige and pride
• Level of performance in such events is one of the yardsticks to indicate the quality of human development
• Promotion of sports is vital for a healthy population and all round development of youth
• Therefore, it is the national duty of all stakeholders to give more attention to promotion of sports and games
• Huge funds are required for taking sports in the country to the desired level
• Resources of national and state governments need to be supplemented by the corporate sector
• While corporate may have their own schemes for promotion of sports, their generous contribution to NSDF will be vital for achieving excellence in sports.

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 Contribution to    the Fund can be made through Cheque /Demand Draft drawn in favour of “NATIONAL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT FUND” or   can   be electronically credited to NSDF Savings .Bank. Account in the State Bank of India, Shastri Bhawan Branch, New Delhi, as per details given below: