PHYSICAL EDUCATION, GAMES, SPORTS
 AND YOUTH WELFARE

A. PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Consolidation and extension of the programmes of physical education, games and sports and youth welfare initiated during the previous five-year Plans continued to be the salient feature of the various schemes taken up for implementation during the year under review. The National Fitness Corps (NFC)-an integrated programme of physical education based on the recommendations of the Kunzru Committee-received considerable emphasis in these programmes.

2. National Fitness Corps Programme:

The N.F.C. programme has by now been accepted by all the State Governments/ Union Territories except Kerala. As regards Kerala the matter is under correspondence with the State Government. The reorientation training of the inservice personnel, namely, physical education teacher/NDS instructors and ACC teachers is also being pushed forward through the National Fitness Corps Directorate to facilitate their switch-over to the new programme. During the year under review, over 3,700 inservice personnel were expected to be thus reoriented. The question of decentralisation of the National Discipline Scheme instructors is still under examination in consultation with the State Governments.

3. Regular 9-month diploma/certificate courses in physical education for the teacher-trainees deputed by the States were started at the Central Training Institutes of the N.F.C. Directorate at Sariska (Rajasthan) and Barwaha (M.P.). During 1966-67, 391 teacher- trainees were admitted into these Institutes.

4. Lakshmibai College of Physical Education, Gwalior:

The College provided further facilities for its students during the year under review. The swimming pool and gymnasium, which are under construction, are expected to be ready by the end of the current year.

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5. During the year 1966-67, 65 students were admitted to the 3- year degree course and 9 to the 2-year master's degree course in physical education.

6. National Physical Efficiency Drive:

The Drive for 1966-67 was organised all over the country during November, 1966 to January, 1967. The States of Punjab, Haryana and Madras, however, could not participate in it. As against the actual participation of 12 lakh during the 1965-66 Drive, the participation target of 15 lakh was laid down for the 1966-67 Drive, the results of which are awaited from the States.

7. The Sixth All-India Competition for the National Awards in Physical Efficiency was organised at the National Institute of Sports, Patiala, on 18th and 19th February, 1967. Nine competitors, including 2 girls, won the National Awards.

8. Assistance to Physical Education Training Institutions:

Under this scheme, non-recurring grants are given to the private physical education training institutions for gymnasia, hostels,, administrative block, playgrounds, library books, equipment, etc. During the year, the Union Ministry continued giving assistance for the, projects sanctioned up to the third Plan period, according to the pattern which provides for sharing of expenditure between the Central Government and the teacher training institutions. A sum of Rs. 1,17,000 (approx.) was so released by the Ministry.

9. Promotion of Yoga:

The scheme provides for assistance to the yogic institutions of all-India character for promotion of research and/or teacher-training activities. During the year, a sum of Rs. 1,37,000 (approx.) was sanctioned to these institutions for the, promotion of their activities.

10. Society for the Administration of Central Institutes:

In order to achieve better liaison and co-ordination between the Lakshmibai College of Physical Education, Gwalior, and the National Institute of Sports, Patiala, these institutions have been placed under the administration of a single Society. This Society has been set up under the chairmanship of General K. M. Cariappa by merging the existing societies administering these institutions separately.

11. Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation:

The 17th Meeting of the Central Advisory Board of

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Physical Education and Recreation was held aft New Delhi in, October, 1966. The Board made several recommendations for raising the status of physical education in schools and colleges.

B. GAMES AND SPORTS

12. All-India Council of Sports:

The All-India Council of Sports, an advisory body, set up to advise the Government of India in all matters relating to the development of sports and' games in the country,held four meetings and inter alia considered requests received from sports federations/associations for grants-in-aid for visits of Indian teams abroad and for inviting foreign teams to India. The participation by the Indian contingents in the British Empire and Commonwealth Games held at Kingston (Jamaica) from 4th to 14th August, 1966, and in the Fifth Asian Games held at Bangkok (Thailand) from 9th to 20th December, 1966, were among the important recommendations made by it.

13.British Empire and Commonwealth Games:

A contingent of 32 persons including officials and referees participated' in these games which were held at Kingston (Jamaica) from 4th to 14th August, 1966. India won 3 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze, medals.

14. Fifth Asian Games:

A contingent of 105 members including officials, delegates and referees, was sent to Bangkok in connection with the Fifth Asian Games held there from 9th to 20th December, 1966. India won 7 gold, silver and 11 bronze medals. The Indian hockey team defeated Pakistan and thus won the Asian Hockey title from that country.

15. Arjuna Awards:

The President gave away the Arjuna Awards to the outstanding sportsmen of the years 1964 and 1965 at a special ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 8th July, 1966. For the year 1966, 13 outstanding sportsmen have been selected for these Awards.

16. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy :

During the year under report, the University of Delhi was declared the winner of the Trophy for the year 1964-65. The University of Punjab, was declared the runner-up; the University of Bombay stood third.

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17. Grants to National Sports Federation :

During the period under report, grants totalling Rs. 10.59 lakh up to March 1967 were paid to national sports federations for participation in international events, including the Commonwealth and Asian Games, visits of foreign teams to our country, to meet the expenditure on the salaries of paid assistant secretaries, for holding coaching camps, purchase of sports equipment and for the implementation of sports items included in cultural agreements, concluded with other countries.

18. Grants to State Sports Councils:

Grants totalling to Rs. 1.07 lakh were paid up to March, 1967 to State sports councils for holding coaching camps and for the purchase of sports equipment.

19. Contingents Sent Abroad:

The following continents abroad during 1966-67:

(i) A 22-member Indian youth football team participated in the Eighth Asian Youth Football Tournament held at Manila (Philippines) during April- May, 1966.

(ii) A 20-member Indian hockey team participated in the International Hockey Tournament held in Hamburg (West Germany) during May, 1966 and other international tournaments.

(iii) A senior lawn tennis team participated in the Wimbledon and other major tournaments in Europe during May-June, 1966. A 5-Member senior lawn tennis team visited Australia and played the challenge round of the Davis Cup 1966-67 against Australia during December, 1966. India lost to Australia 4-1. Earlier the Indian team had defeated Japan in the East Zone Finals of the Championships held in Japan during September, 1966, defeated West Germany in the Inter-Zone Semi-Finals and Brazil in the Inter-Zone Finals of the Championships held at New Delhi and Calcutta during November-December, 1966.

(iv) A national team of 4 rifle shooters participated in the 30th World Shooting Championships held at Wiesbaden (West Germany) from 14th to 24th July, 1966.

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(v) The Central Secretariat hockey team and a combined wrestling team of Services/P. & T. visited Afghanistan for participation in Afghan Jashan Celebrations held during August, 1966.

(vi) A 20-member Indian football team participated in the 9th Merdeka Football Festival held at Kuala Lumpur during August, 1966. India ranked third in this tournament.

(vii) The Indian Golf Union sent a team of four players for participation in the World Amateur Team Championship Eisenhower Cup 1966-67 held in Mexico during October, 1966.

(viii) The national badminton team visited Malaysia to play the first round of the Asian Zone Thomas Cup Championship held at Kuala Lumpur during November, 1966.

(ix) The Basketball Federation of India sent various State teams including those of the Services Sports Control Board and Railways to Ceylon to participate in the 4th Invitation Tournament held there during January, 1967.

20. Contingent Received:

(i) On the invitation of the Schools Games Federation of India, a Ceylon schools hockey team toured India during September-October, 1966. The visiting team played 4 test matches and 6 other matches at various centres in the country.

(ii) The Indian Polo Association invited 'Bridgefoot'-a Polo team of 4 players-from the United Kingdom. The team participated in the polo tournament in Calcutta during the season, December, 1966 to January, 1967.

(iii) Indian Hockey Federation invited Dutch hockey team and East German hockey team to visit India to play exhibition matches in India during January, 1967.

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21. Mountaineering Training Camps:

Financial assistance was sanctioned to the Universities of Bombay, Gujarat, Banaras and Sardar Patel for organising mountaineering training camps, during the period under report.

22. Crossing the Straits:

Financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 10,000 was given to Shri Mihir Sen for crossing the straits of Gibralter, Dradanelles and Bosphorus, and Rs. 3,000 for crossing Panama Canal. Besides, the Prime Minister also sanctioned a grant of Rs. 5,000 to Shri Sen out of her discretionary fund.

23. Planning Committee:

The All-India Council of Sports had formed a Planning Sub-Committee to formulate developmental programmes of national sports federations and State sports councils, etc., for the fourth Plan and to recommend pattern of financial assistance, etc. The Committee has submitted its Report to the All-India Council of Sports recently.

24. National Institute of Sports, Patiala:

The Institute, which was established at Patiala in the year 1961, continues to make steady progress. During the year, 108 coaches were trained, bringing the total number of coaches so far turned out by the Institute to 809. 109 persons are at present undergoing training under the 4th regular training course which commenced in August, 1966.

25. The process of the replacement of foreign coaches by Indian under-studies has also made progress. It has been decided not to renew the contracts of most of the foreign coaches at the National Institute of Sports, Patiala. Extension has, however, been given to two foreign co-aches, namely, Mr. J. Kovacs, athletics coach from Hungary, and to Mr. L. G. Mumar, basketball coach from the Philippines for a further period of one year.

26. Regional Coaching Centres:

Under the National Coaching Scheme, 34 regional coaching centres had been opened so far in the States and Union Territories under the auspices of the State sports councils. These councils were aided by the National Institute of Sports by placing at their disposal the services of coaches, free of cost, apart from those employed by the State sports councils from their own resources.

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27. The Coaching Committee appointed by the Society for the Administration of the Central Institutes in the Field of Physical Education and Sports, has examined the existing coaching programmes and submitted its report. The Committee has recommended that the existing coaching programmes both in the NIS and the Regional Coaching Centres should be strengthened and expanded.

28. Taking Over of National Stadium :

It has been decided to take over the National Stadium and Swimming Pool from the National Sports Club of India for proper maintenance and better utilisation. A compensation of Rs. 3.90 lakh is to be paid to the National Sports Clubs of India for this take-over.

29. Western Himalayan Mountaineering Institute:

As re- commended by the Sarin Committee, the Western Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Manali, will be developed from the financial year 1967-68 in collaboration with the Government of Himachal Pradesh. A provision of Rs. 4.5 lakh has been made during 1967-68 to meet the Central share of the, expenditure for the development of the Institute.

30. National Sports Centre:

It is proposed to set up a National Sports Centre in Delhi, designed to provide for play fields so badly needed in the Capital. A provision of Rs. 5 lakh has been made for the year 1967-68 for this purpose.

31. Utility Stadia:

It has been decided in consultation with the Planning Commission to revive the scheme of grant-in-aid to State Governments for utility stadia from 1967-68. A provision of Rs. 2 lakh has been suggested for this purpose for that year.

C. YOUTH WELFARE

32. Inter-University Youth Festival :

It is proposed to hold the next Inter-University Youth Festival during the next year. A provision of Rs. 1.5 lakh has, been made in the budget for 1967-68 for this purpose.

33. To facilitate selection of their contingents for participation in the next Inter-University Youth Festival, the universities will be given Central assistance for holding intercollegiate youth festivals. A provision of Rs. 50,000 has been made for this purpose for 1967-68.

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34. Youth Leadership Training and Dramatic Training Camp:

The scheme aims at imparting to the teachers from universities and colleges short-term training in the technique of organising youth welfare and dramatic activities in their institutions. The scheme is implemented by the, Ministry of Education direct as well as through the universities. The camps conducted by the Ministry are of inter- university and inter-State in character and the expenditure is met by the Government of India. In respect of camps organised by the universities, the Ministry gives grants to meet 75 per cent of the expenditure on approved items subject to a maximum of Rs. 3,000 per camp. During the year, the Ministry conducted two Youth Leadership Training Camps at Kurseong (West Bengal) and Mysore respectively involving an expenditure of Rs. 10,000 approximately. Moreover, an amount of Rs. 6,842 was released to four universities for conducting such camps. This expenditure was incurred from out of budget provision of Rs. 67,000 meant for this purpose.

35. Youth Welfare Boards and Committees:

The object of the scheme is to promote youth welfare activities in the universities through youth welfare boards and committee that plan and execute various youth welfare activities including the promotion of extracurricular activities, cultural activities, viz., dramatics and paintings, arts, etc. The Union Ministry extends financial assistance to the universities which establish such boards and committees. The grants are given on a matching basis to cover the expenses on the administrative set-up of these committees. During the year 1966-67 a sum of Rs. 49,177 was released to 10 universities. There are 18 boards and committees functioning in various universities.

D. BHARAT SCOUTS AND GUIDES

36. The Union Government continued to extend financial assistance to the Bharat Scouts and Guides for their various activities. The object of the scheme is to develop the character of boys and girls and to make them good citizens by giving them training in scouting and guiding thereby inculcating in them a spirit of loyalty, patriotism and thoughtfulness for others. The movement promotes the physical and mental development of the boys and girls. The Government of India's assistance consists. of (i) administrative grant to Bharat Scouts and Guides, for

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meeting 25 per cent of the expenditure, to be incurred on the pays and salaries of the staff, (ii) organisational grant to meet the deficit expenditure subject to a ceiling of Rs. 65,000 only, and (iii) up to 75 per cent of the expenditure on approved items relating to the various activities. The Government of India have incurred on this movement a sum of Rs. 2,02,988 out of a budget provision of Rs. 4.1 lakh during the year.