Sports Ministry backs IOA’s move for inclusion of yoga in the Asian Games program

Minister Of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, has backed the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) move to include yoga in the Asian Games program. IOA president PT Usha, fondly known as the queen of track and field with 11 medals in the Asian Games, submitted a request on June 26 to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) acting chief Randhir Singh, proposing the inclusion of yoga in the Asian Games.

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya acknowledged the pivotal role India has played in promoting yoga worldwide.

“It is only fair that in keeping with its wide popularity, yoga becomes a competitive sport and is in the Asian Games,” said Mandaviya in a statement.

He further emphasized how the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given importance to Yoga Day.

“Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has worked hard to ensure that June 21 is celebrated as International Yoga Day each year. The discipline, which embraces mind and body, has gained in popularity around the world and is ready as a competitive sport with its own code of points and distinct events,” added Mandaviya.

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“India has been in the forefront of making yoga popular" - Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on yoga’s inclusion as a competitive sport

The Sports Ministry has also recognized the National Yogasana Sport Federation (NYAS), popularly known as Yogasana Bharat, to promote and develop yoga as a competitive sport in India.

Dr. Mandaviya stressed India's key role in popularizing yoga, which is already part of the Khelo India Youth Games and Khelo India University Games since 2020.

“India has been in the forefront of making yoga popular and we started it as a competitive sport by including it in the Khelo India Youth Games with great success. It is pleasing to note that the growing number of yoga practitioners has encouraged organizers of National Games to include it in their schedule,” he continued.