Yogasana became an officially recognized competitive sport in India

Yoga has been a part of Indian history for a very long period. It started around 5000 years ago in India as a quest to unite the mind and soul. Starting from the ancient pages to the modern world yoga has found its place in modern India. The Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport has finally recognized Yogasana as an official sport in India.

Asana or Yogasana is a body posture or a yoga pose. Initially, it was a general term for meditation pose but later extended to include other Yoga postures.

The Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport in a joint press conference in Delhi which was held by the Union Minister of State (IC) for AYUSH Shri Shripad Naik, and the Union Minister of State (IC) for Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Kiren Rijjju announced the addition of Yogasana to the world of competitive sport

Union Minister of State (IC) for AYUSH Shri Shripad Naik while addressing the press conference emphasized the origin and tradition of Yogasana competitions which have been held for centuries. He said that such competitions are still held but still there is a necessity to uplift the competition on the national grounds.

Shri Naik also said that the decision to add Yogasana as a competitive sport came after the 3-4 years of consultation with the stakeholders of the Yoga sectors. 

The ministry also added that “ Yogasana is an integral and important component of Yoga, which is psycho-physical in nature and popular across the globe for its efficacy in fitness and general wellness”.

He further said, “Yogasana becoming a sport will also ensure new technologies and new strategies being inducted into the disciplines, to benefit our athletes and officials towards building fruitful and fulfilling careers in this field”.

Union Minister of State (IC) for Youth Affairs & Sports said that the official recognition of Yogasana as a sport will enhance the interest of people in it across the globe. Kiran Rijjiju further said that the ministries are planning to add Yogasana as a Sports discipline in Khelo India and the University Games and they will consider it in national games. The ultimate aim is to add it to the Olympics and these initiatives are little steps in the long journey. 

The ministry is hopeful that Yogasana will become a very beautiful, attractive, and popular sport.

Secretary AYUSH gave a presentation at the conference and explained the details of the Yogasana as a competitive sport. The sport is likely to have 51 medals in 4 events & 7 categories. The events will be open for both men and women and it will include Traditional Yogasana, Artistic Yogasana (Single), Artistic Yogasana (Pair), Rhythmic Yogasana (Pair), Free Flow/Group Yogasana, Individual All-Round – Championship, and Team Championship.

The AYUSH secretary also informed about the following steps and events that will be a part of the road map and the future development of Yogasana as a sport:

A pilot Yogasana Competition named as “National Individual Yogasana Sports Championship (Virtual Mode) to be held in early 2021.

• Launching of an Annual Calendar of competitions, events, and programs of Yogasana sport.
• Development of Automated Scoring System for the Yogasana Championship.
• Courses for Coaches, Referees, Judges, and Directors of competitions.
• Coaching camps for players.
• Launch of a League of Yogasana, to ensure a career and social status for performers, experts, and practitioners, to create Sports Stars among Yogasana athletes.
• To introduce Yogasana as a Sports discipline in National Games, Khelo India, and international sports events.
• Steps to create job opportunities for Yogasana athletes.

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