1st World Yogasana Championship opens in Ahmedabad; PM Modi to join virtually
Synopsis
Yogasana steps onto the world's competitive stage for the first time. With 400 athletes from 60-plus countries converging at Ahmedabad's EKA Arena and PM Modi joining virtually, the 1st World Yogasana Championship is India's bid to formalise a homegrown discipline as a global sport — backed by an electronic scoring debut and a 122-member Indian contingent.
Key Takeaways
The 1st World Yogasana Sports Championship opens in Ahmedabad on 4 June 2026 and runs through 8 June .
400 athletes from over 60 countries , including the US, Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan, will compete at EKA Arena .
PM Narendra Modi will join virtually at around 6:40 pm IST on the opening day.
India fields a 122-member contingent across six age categories for both men and women.
An electronic scoring system debuts globally; 32 international and 51 national judges will officiate.
Live coverage on Doordarshan from 9 am to 9 pm daily, with YouTube streaming.
The 1st World Yogasana Sports Championship begins in Ahmedabad on 4 June 2026, bringing together 400 athletes from more than 60 countries at the EKA Arena for the first global competitive contest in Yogasana. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to join the inaugural session virtually at around 6:40 pm IST.
Scale and format of the championship
The five-day event runs from 4 to 8 June and features traditional, artistic, rhythmic pairs, and team Yogasana disciplines. Participating nations include the United States, Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan, in what organisers describe as the first global championship for Yogasana as a competitive sport.
Hosts India will field a 122-member contingent. Athletes will compete across six age categories for both men and women — Sub-Junior (10–14 years), Junior (14–18), Senior (18–28), Senior A (28–35), Senior B (35–45) and Senior C (45–55).
What PM Modi said
In a post on X on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said, ‘Yoga is gaining tremendous popularity across the world! Tomorrow, on 4th June, a very special competition, the 1st World Yogasana Sports Championship 2026, commences in Ahmedabad.’
He added, ‘This platform has brought together Yoga enthusiasts from around the world. It is a significant milestone on the global sporting roadmap for Yogasana. I will be joining the event via technology as well at around 6:40 PM tomorrow evening.’
Institutional backing and judging
The championship is supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Ministry of Ayush, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Sports Authority of Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, and the Gujarat Yogasana Sports Association. Proceedings will be overseen by 32 international judges and 51 national judges.
For the first time at the global level, organisers are introducing an electronic scoring system, intended to improve transparency and consistency in judging — a recurring concern in artistic and form-based sports.
Voices from the organisers
Yogasana Bharat president Udit Sheth said, ‘Delighted to see us hosting this pioneering World Yogasana Championship at Eka Arena, Ahmedabad, with 60-plus countries. It’s a fantastic platform for the Indian national team and to take Yogasana sport to the world; perhaps India’s greatest contribution to the world of sports.’
World Yogasana general secretary Dr Jaideep Arya called it a defining moment, saying, ‘For the first time, athletes from more than 60 countries will come together on one stage to demonstrate the athleticism, discipline, and artistry that Yogasana represents.’
How to watch
The competition will be broadcast live on Doordarshan from 9 am to 9 pm daily between 4 and 8 June, with simultaneous streaming on the broadcaster's YouTube channel. The event is being positioned as a stepping stone toward eventual inclusion of Yogasana on multi-sport global calendars.
Point of View
Though, is sustained competitive depth beyond India and a handful of enthusiast nations. Without a multi-year calendar and federation-level investment abroad, this risks remaining an India-led showcase rather than a genuinely global sport.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 1st World Yogasana Sports Championship?
It is the first global competitive championship for Yogasana, being held at EKA Arena in Ahmedabad from 4 to 8 June 2026. The event brings together 400 athletes from more than 60 countries across traditional, artistic, rhythmic pairs and team disciplines.
Will PM Modi attend the championship in person?
No. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join the inaugural session virtually at around 6:40 pm IST on 4 June. He announced his participation in a post on X on Wednesday.
How can viewers watch the championship live?
The competition will be broadcast live on Doordarshan from 9 am to 9 pm daily between 4 and 8 June. It will also be streamed on Doordarshan's YouTube channel.
How large is the Indian contingent and what are the age categories?
India is fielding a 122-member contingent. Athletes will compete across six age categories for both men and women — Sub-Junior (10–14), Junior (14–18), Senior (18–28), Senior A (28–35), Senior B (35–45) and Senior C (45–55).
What is new about the judging at this championship?
For the first time at the global level, an electronic scoring system is being introduced to improve transparency and consistency. The event will be overseen by 32 international and 51 national judges.
