PM Modi backs Yogasana for Olympics at first World Championship
Synopsis
At the first-ever World Yogasana Championship in Ahmedabad, PM Modi didn't just inaugurate a tournament — he staked out an Olympic ambition. With 400-plus athletes from 60 nations competing under standardised rules and electronic scoring, India is making a structured, institutional case for Yogasana's place on the world's biggest sporting stage.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi virtually inaugurated the first World Yogasana Championship in Ahmedabad on 4 June 2025 .
More than 400 athletes from over 60 nations are participating in the event, which runs until 8 June .
Modi expressed confidence that Yogasana would eventually secure a place in the Olympics and other international multi-sport competitions.
The championship uses an electronic scoring system and standardised competition rules to strengthen the case for global recognition.
Modi also flagged the sport's potential to create jobs for athletes, trainers, sports scientists, researchers, and event managers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 4 June virtually inaugurated the first-ever World Yogasana Championship in Ahmedabad, expressing confidence that Yogasana could earn a place in the Olympics and other international multi-sport competitions. Addressing athletes from more than 60 countries, Modi described the event as the opening of a new chapter in yoga's evolution as a competitive discipline.
What Modi Said
'Through this championship, Yogasana will gain a new identity as a competitive sport. I am confident that in the future, Yogasana will also secure its place in international sports. Whether it is the Olympics or multi-sport events, if we work hard enough, positive results can certainly be achieved,' Modi said in his address.
He added that all participants were already champions by virtue of being part of what he called an 'important chapter in sporting history,' and said their performances would inspire young people across the world.
About the Championship
The event, running from 4 to 8 June in Ahmedabad, has drawn more than 400 athletes from over 60 nations. Competition is structured across multiple age categories and disciplines, and features an electronic scoring system designed to improve transparency and consistency in judging at the international level. Officials describe the standardised ruleset as a foundational step toward securing formal global recognition for Yogasana as a sport.
Economic Opportunities in Focus
Modi also highlighted the wider economic potential of Yogasana's growth as a competitive sport. 'We know that every major sport brings with it an entire ecosystem. It creates new employment opportunities. As Yogasana Sports expands, new possibilities associated with it will also grow,' he said.
According to the Prime Minister, the sport's expansion could generate opportunities for athletes, trainers, sports scientists, researchers, and event managers — building an industry around a discipline rooted in India's cultural heritage.
Push for International Recognition
Efforts to establish Yogasana as a recognised global sporting discipline have gathered pace in recent years. The inaugural World Championship is widely seen as the most significant milestone yet in that campaign. Notably, India has previously pushed for yoga-linked disciplines to be considered at international sporting forums, and this event is expected to strengthen that case with documented competition infrastructure.
Whether the Olympic bid gains traction will depend on sustained international participation and the sport's ability to meet recognition criteria set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). For now, the Ahmedabad championship plants a flag.
Point of View
Electronic judging, and a 60-nation field give this campaign more credibility than previous yoga-adjacent sporting bids. The harder question is whether the IOC, which has grown cautious about expanding the programme, will find Yogasana's competitive format sufficiently distinct from gymnastics and similar disciplines. Modi's public backing raises the political stakes: if the bid stalls, it will be a visible setback. If it succeeds, India will have added a home-grown discipline to the world's most-watched sporting event.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the World Yogasana Championship?
The World Yogasana Championship is the first international competitive event for Yogasana, held in Ahmedabad from 4 to 8 June 2025. It features more than 400 athletes from over 60 countries competing across multiple age categories and disciplines under standardised rules.
Did PM Modi attend the World Yogasana Championship in person?
No, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the championship virtually on 4 June 2025. He addressed the assembled athletes and officials via a remote address from New Delhi.
What is India's goal for Yogasana at the Olympics?
India aims to have Yogasana recognised as an official discipline at the Olympics and other international multi-sport events. PM Modi stated that with sufficient effort, securing a place in such competitions is achievable, though no formal IOC recognition has been announced yet.
How is the World Yogasana Championship judged?
The championship uses an electronic scoring system intended to improve transparency and consistency in judging. Competition follows standardised rules across multiple age categories and disciplines, a framework officials say is essential for international recognition.
What economic benefits does Yogasana's growth as a sport bring?
According to PM Modi, the expansion of Yogasana as a competitive sport could create an entire ecosystem of employment, including opportunities for athletes, trainers, sports scientists, researchers, and event managers, similar to the economic model seen around established global sports.
