India to Host Inaugural World Yogasana Championship in Ahmedabad
Excitement Builds for the World Yogasana Championship
Udit Sheth, president of Yogasana Bharat, along with vice president Sanjay Malpani and Secretary General Jaideep Arya, expressed their excitement for the upcoming World Yogasana Championship. This inaugural event is scheduled to take place from June 4 to 8 at TransStadia in Ahmedabad, with participation expected from over 40 nations.
The championship marks a pivotal moment for the global Yogasana movement, as it aims to pave the way for the sport's inclusion in major international multi-sport events and its eventual recognition in the Olympics.
A National Collaborative Initiative
The World Yogasana Championship 2026 is backed by several governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Ministry of Ayush, and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), among others. This collaboration aims to elevate Yogasana's status on the global sports stage.
A Moment of Pride
Udit Sheth described the championship as a significant achievement after years of dedication and increasing global interest. He emphasized the responsibility that comes with hosting such an event, highlighting the need for proper systems, broadcasting, and fan engagement.
"This championship is monumental for us. After six years of hard work involving 700 districts and 300,000 athletes, we are now seeing participation from 70 countries. It’s a goosebump moment, but it also brings a great responsibility to ensure the sport continues to grow with the right framework and excitement," he stated.
Future Aspirations
Sanjay Malpani noted that millions of children have embraced Yogasana over the past six years, mastering complex asanas. He expressed confidence that India, being the birthplace of this sport, is poised to secure numerous medals in upcoming international competitions, including the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Olympics.
"With millions of children now practicing Yogasana, it’s only natural that India will excel in future competitions, significantly increasing our medal tally," he remarked.
Establishing Yogasana as a Competitive Sport
Jaideep Arya shared that efforts to formalize Yogasana as a competitive sport began in 2020, introducing a structured framework and a digitized scoring system. This system is based on the principle of Sthiram Sukham Asanam, emphasizing stillness as a key judging criterion.
"We organized around 2,500 asanas into a structured format and developed a 'Code of Points' (COP) with the help of colleagues, including Sanjay Malpani. This COP serves as the foundational rulebook for the sport," he explained.
Overview of the Championship
The World Yogasana Championship is expected to attract over 500 participants from 75 countries, competing in 12 events. Categories will include Traditional Yogasana, Artistic Yogasana, Rhythmic Pairs, and Team Events, with athletes competing in junior, youth, and elite divisions under internationally standardized rules.