Established in 2012, SANPA is a registered section 21, non-profit, organization that exists to promote the sport of Paintball and Airsoft in all of its forms, liaise with government bodies, local authorities and other associations/federations, and try to make the game of paintball and airsoft safe and fun to play.

SANPA is currently seen as the national federation for paintball and airsoft in the Republic as defined by the Sport and Recreation Act No. 110 of 1998 and amended Act No. 18 of 2007.

One of the responsibilities of the act is that the national federation is to assume full responsibility for the safety issues within their sport and recreation disciplines.

SANPA works closely with Sport & Recreation as well as other government departments and has clarified several laws, relating to paintball/airsoft in South Africa over the years and will continue to lobby for its members where required.

SANPA is also one of the founding members of the United Paintball Federation (UPBF) and affiliated with Youth Tourism South Africa (YTSA).