Yogasana Olympic Dreams Gain Momentum As PM Modi Voices Support

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support for Yogasana strengthened efforts for Olympic recognition, World Yogasana and Yogasana Bharat Secretary General Dr. Jaideep Arya said in Ahmedabad on June 8. He told PTI Videos that Olympic inclusion at some point was an achievable goal for the discipline.

Dr. Arya said the sport would grow very rapidly after the Prime Minister's backing. He noted that representatives from many countries mentioned Mr. Modi's support. According to him, a single statement from him created confidence among Yogasana athletes and stakeholders worldwide.

Belief in Olympic future and mindset change

Dr. Arya said there was now a belief that Yogasana would become an Olympic sport. He said one major challenge was changing perceptions of yoga. Many people saw it only as a spiritual pathway or a wellness practice, not as a structured competitive sport for young athletes.

Organisers worked for years to present Yogasana as a sport for children. Dr. Arya recalled guidance from World Yogasana President Swami Ramdev. He said Swami Ramdev told them to present Yogasana so children aged eight or ten could connect and later compete at the highest level.

Six years of work and rising youth participation

Dr. Arya said children from across the world were now competing. He called this the biggest attraction for the discipline. He added that organisers had to work continuously for six years to reach this stage. The focus stayed on sport format and clear competition structures.

He described Yogasana as one of the most accessible sports. It needed minimal infrastructure and could be practised almost anywhere. "Every child can play and prepare from home. The name of that game is Yogasana. It is the most cost-effective sport," Dr. Arya said.

Growing international support and participation targets

He said backing from the Government of Uganda and the Olympic chapter in Uzbekistan showed growing international recognition. Geopolitical tensions in West Asia and health issues such as the Ebola virus affected turnout this year. He felt more nations would attend future global Yogasana events.

Dr. Arya said that without these crises, over 100 countries would have participated this year. He expressed hope that by next year, nearly 90 per cent of the world, around 190 countries, would actively join what he called a worldwide Yogasana movement.