(ii) A women's Hockey Team participated in the 1st World Cup Hockey Tournament for Women, held at Nice. In its first appearance the team secured the fourth

(iii) Davis Cup : India reached the Finals of the Davis Cup Tournament 1974. in which it was to meet South Africa. However, in accordance with the national policy of total opposition to the South African Government's policy of apartheid, India did not play against South Africa.

(iv) Asian Youth Football Championships: The Indian Youth Team were joint winners of the Championships with Iran.

(v) Seven Indian hockey players were selected for the All Star Asian Hockey Team which played against a selected European team, in a match at Brussels during September, 1974, held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the international Hockey Federation. The combined Asian team later played matches in Pakistan and India during October- November, 1974.

Exchange Programmes : Among the significant exchanges with friendly countries in the field of sports, the following may be mentioned :

(a) The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, deputed a Swimming Coach to work at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala, for a period of 6 months to train Indian swimmers.

(b) The Government of USSR had deputed a Weight lifting Coach for a period of 3 months to organize clinics and to train weightlifters.

National Sports Organizations

The progress of the programmes under this scheme which aims at the promotion of excellence in, sports & games amongst college students is given below

(a) Physical facilities : Due to financial constraints, no new projects for the construction of gymnasia and play fields in colleges and universities could be undertaken. However, projects already under construction were continued and grants totalling Rs. 6.5 lakhs were released to the U.G.C. for this purpose.

(b) Coaching : 76 trained coaches in various games & sports continued to work in different universities.

(c) The Association of Indian Universities (formerly known as the Inter-University Board of India & Ceylon) reviewed their programmes of coaching and training etc., of university and college students. The revised programme envisages as under :

(i) Sports Talent Scholarships : The number of Scholarships will be raised from the 4th Plan level of 50 per annum to 100 per annum.

(ii) Coaching Camps-Cum-Competitions - Under this programme, competitions would be organised during the summer vacation in Athletics (men & women); Hockey (men & women); Football; Wrestling and Volleyball (men & women). The selection of zonal teams for attending these coaching camps and competitions, would be made on the basis of the Inter-University Tournament. During the zonal coaching camps, and competitions the combined University teams in concerned games will also be selected for participation in important tournaments.

(iii) Affiliation with National Sports Federations Association: It is proposed that affiliation of the Sports Board of Association of Indian Universities would be sought in all major games so that combined university teams could participate in National Championships etc. At present such affiliation has been secured from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, All India Lawn Tennis Association, Indian Hockey Federation, Amateur Athletic Federation of India and Badminton Association of India.

(iv) 1975-76 marks the Golden Jubilee of the Association of Indian Universities. During this year, university teams from neighbouring countries are proposed to be invited to participate in the Inter-University Tournaments to be held in India.

Programmes for broad-basing of sports

Emphasis on broad-basing of sports activities and to involve the rural and tribal youth in sports & games was maintained during the year. The following specific activities were arranged:

(i) The first All India Rural Hockey Tournament for rural and tribal youth below the age of 16 was held at Warangal (Andhra Pradesh) during October, 1974. Sixteen talented players from amongst the participants in the tournament were selected and put under special coaching in New Delhi. A team consisting of these players was entered in the All India Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey Tournament, and reached the finals.

(ii) The second All India Rural Swimming Coaching Camp and Competition for children of people living on aquatic vocation was held in New Delhi in September-October, 1974. 12 States and Union Territories sent their teams for this camp. These young swimmers were also entered in the All India Chacha Nehru Swimming Invitation Competition held at New Delhi and won' three medals.

(iii) The second All India Rural Archery Competition was held at Agartala in October, 1974. 8 States participated in the Competition.

(iv) The second All India Rural Athletic Meet for boys and girls was held at Ranchi during September, 1974. The competition was preceded by a coaching camp of 2 weeks' duration. 15 States participated in this meet.

(v) The Fifth All India Rural Sport Tournament will be held at Shimoga (Karnataka), from 1st to 5th February, 1975. About 1500 participants from all over the country are expected to take part in the tournament.

Sports Activities during the International Women's Year (1975)

1975 has been proclaimed as the 'International Women's Year'. As a part of the celebrations, special sports programmes will be organised during 1975 for women in Athletics, Basketball, Hockey, Volleyball, Swimming Gymnastics and Kho-Kho. The programmes will be held at the district and State levels, culminating in the National Sports Festival to be held at New Delhi in October, 1975. The State Governments have been advised to hold suitable programmes for women on these lines.

Physical Education

Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (Gwalior)

The College continued to maintain the improvement in its in-take of students. For the academic year 1974-75. 155 students, including 28 girls, were admitted to the 3 year Bachelor of Physical Education Course and 18 students, including 4,girls, were admitted to the 2 year Master of Physical Education Course. For the first time since the inception of the College all the three B.P.E. Classes have more than 100 students on rolls, when the annual intake capacity of the BPE Course is 100. The College continues to draw students from almost all parts of the country including a few from abroad.

National Physical Efficiency Drive

The Scheme of National Physical Efficiency Drive continues to be organised by the Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (Gwalior).

In the 1973-74 Drive, the actual participation was of the order of 9 lakhs.

The 1974-75 National Physical Efficiency Drive was lunched in the different States and Union Territories of the country during October 1974, to continue till January 1975.

XIV. All-India Competition for National Awards in Physical Efficiency

The XIV All-India Competition for National Awards in Physical Efficiency under the National Physical Efficiency Drive was held at Gwalior on the 22nd and 23rd February, 1975. Sixty-five competitors including 16 women from various States and Union Territories participated in the Competition. Sixteen persons including six women won the National Awards.

Promotion of Yoga

In accordance with the Government of India's policy to assist the Yogic institutions of all-India character, for the promotion of research and /or teacher training programmes, the Kaivalayadham Shreeman Madhav Yoga Mandir Samiti, Lonavala, and the Vishwayatan Yoga Ashram (Delhi and Katra Vaishnav Devi Centres continue to be assisted for their recurring as well as non-recurring expenditure. On account of limitation of funds, it has not been possible to extend the scope of financial assistance to other Yogic institutions.

Promotion of Popular Literature on Physical Education and Sports

The Fourth National Prize Competition for Published Literature on Physical Education, Sports and Games (1973-74) was organised through the Lakshmibai National college of Physical Education (Gwalior). As against the maximum of 5 national prizes stipulated under the Competition only one book was selected for the National Prize.

Entries have also been invited for the Fifth National Prize Competition (1974-75) under the Scheme.

Other Programmes

(a) Mountaineering

Financial assistance continued to be given to the Indian Mountaineering Foundation. The total grant released during the year amounted to Rs. 2.24 lakhs. The Foundation has assisted so far about 30 mountaineering expeditions during the year under report.

In addition to the grants to I. M. F., assistance is also

given to Universities which have formed mountaineering clubs; to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling and to the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttar Kashi, for conducting Adventure Courses.

(b) Adventure Facilities

Financial assistance of the order of Rs. 1.5 lakhs has been given to the Explorers Club of India, Calcutta, which is headed by the well- known Swimmer, Shri Mihir Sen, for organising a Sail Boat expedition, from the East Coast of India to Bali (Indonesia) and back to Breach (Gujarat). The Boat is being constructed by the Central Inland Water Transport Corporation Ltd., Calcutta.

(c) Scouting and Guiding

Financial assistance continued to be given to Bharat Scouts and Guides for the promotion of scouting and guiding. The type of assistance extends from meeting a part of the orgaisational and administrative expenses, to expenditure on approved items like training camps, national and international Jamborees and participation in international camps and rallies. Possibilities are also being explored to utilise the services of the scouts organisations in training non-student youth in scouting/guiding at places where the Nehru Yuvak Kendras have been established.

The National Headquarters of the Bharat Scouts & Guides, New Delhi, which organised the 7th All India Jamboree at Faridabad during November, 1974, was given an ad-hoc grant of Rs. 1 lakh for the purpose. The Bharat Scouts and Guides was also given financial assistance to send Rover Scouts to Bangladesh, for participation in the Rover Scouts Week organised by the Dacca University, in September, 1974. They were also given financial assistance to enable their Assistant National Training Commissioner to attend International Training-cum-Team Course at Kuala Lumpur organised by the World Association of Boy Scouts.

Assistance to Voluntary Organisations

Under this scheme, financial assistance is given to voluntary youth organisations of an all-India character for activities engaged in or promoting national integration, significant experimental or pilot projects/research in youth work, training of personnel for youth work, organisations of conferences, tours, festivals,

seminars, refresher courses, workshops devoted to problems of youth welfare, camps or any other activities which help in strengthening national cohesion. During 1974-75 so far, grants have been given to 5 bodies.