Parliament panel's red flag: Fund is shrinking, use it responsibly, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• Contributions to the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) decreased from Rs 85.26 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 37.02 crore in 2025-26.
• A Parliamentary panel raised concerns in August 2025 about the declining funds.
• The decline is attributed to reduced corporate confidence in the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
• Donors are increasingly favoring privately managed sports organizations over the NSDF.

Detailed Insights:

• The NSDF was established to mobilize resources for sports development in India.
• Reduced funding impacts the ability to support athletes, infrastructure, and training programs.
• Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives increasingly drive sports funding decisions.
• Private sports organizations often offer more direct and visible impact to donors.
• Government initiatives are needed to restore confidence in the NSDF and SAI.

Key Concepts Involved:

• National Sports Development Fund (NSDF): A fund by the Indian government to promote sports development in the country.
• Sports Authority of India (SAI): The apex national sports body of India, established to promote sports.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): A self-regulating business model that helps a company be socially accountable to itself, its stakeholders, and the public.