'This Is a New Chapter for Yoga': Prime Minister Sees Bright Future for Yogasana on the World Sporting Stage

Ahmedabad witnessed a historic moment for the global yoga community as Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the World Yogasana Championship 2026, marking the beginning of what many believe could be a new era for yoga as a competitive sport.

Addressing athletes, officials, and yoga enthusiasts through video conferencing, the Prime Minister described the championship as a landmark step in the evolution of one of India's most cherished traditions. With the event taking place just ahead of International Yoga Day, he said the championship offers a "double dose of health and wellness" to the world.

Calling the event a turning point, Modi said every living tradition evolves with time, and yoga is now entering a new phase. According to him, the World Yogasana Championship represents the beginning of a fresh journey where yoga is not only a path to physical and mental well-being but also an emerging global sporting discipline.

The Prime Minister highlighted that every major sport creates an entire ecosystem of opportunities, and Yogasana would be no different. As the sport grows, he said, it will open new avenues not only for athletes but also for trainers, sports scientists, researchers, event managers, and other professionals associated with the sporting world.

Congratulating the participants from around the globe, Modi stressed that the significance of the championship goes far beyond winning medals. He said every athlete taking part in this historic first edition has already become a champion by contributing to a defining moment in the history of yoga.

The Prime Minister also encouraged participants to become ambassadors of the Ministry of Ayush's "Yoga Three Sixty Five" campaign and promote the practice of yoga throughout the year in their respective countries. He expressed confidence that Yogasana would eventually find a place in major international sporting events in the future.

Echoing this vision, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya described the championship as a historic milestone for both India and the global yoga community.

"The World Yogasana Championship is beginning in India, and in its very first edition, athletes from dozens of countries have come together. This is a proud and historic moment for the nation," he said.

Mandaviya emphasized that Yogasana is rapidly emerging as a competitive sport, with India leading efforts to take it to the global stage. He said the country's long-term ambition is to see Yogasana included in prestigious international events such as the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.

The opening ceremony was attended by Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat Minister of State for Sports Harsh Sanghavi, and yoga guru Swami Ramdev, among other dignitaries.

The championship has brought together elite Yogasana athletes and delegations from more than 60 countries, including Uganda, Zambia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Kenya, Japan, Oman, Mauritius, and **Netherlands>.

As athletes from across continents compete in Ahmedabad, the event is not only celebrating the ancient Indian practice of yoga but also making a strong case for its recognition as a global sporting discipline. For India, the championship represents another step in taking its cultural heritage to the world stage, while for the international yoga community, it may well be the beginning of a new sporting movement.