World Yogasana Championship 2026 unveiled in New Delhi

The inaugural World Yogasana Championship 2026 was officially unveiled in New Delhi. Scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad from June 4 to 8, the event will feature athletes from over 60 nations as India pushes for global recognition of Yogasana as a competitive sport

Hyderabad: In a historic milestone for Indian sport and global wellness, the inaugural edition of the World Yogasana Championship (WYC) 2026, the first-ever global championship dedicated to Yogasana as a competitive sport, was officially unveiled on Tuesday in New Delhi by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Labour and Employment Dr Mansukh Mandaviya in the presence of federation leaders.

The WYC 2026, scheduled to be held from June 4 to 8, 2026 at the Eka Arena in Ahmedabad, will bring together elite Yogasana athletes and delegations from over 60 nations, including Uganda, Zambia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Kenya, Japan, Oman, Mauritius and the Netherlands, marking the beginning of India’s ambitious journey to establish Yogasana as a globally recognised sporting discipline and pave its pathway towards Olympic recognition.

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The World Yogasana Championship 2026 is supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Ayush, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Sports Authority of Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism and Gujarat Yogasana Sports Association, representing a collaborative national effort to position Yogasana on the global sporting map.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, said, “India gifted yoga to the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the nation is now leading the movement to establish Yogasana as a globally recognised competitive sport. The World Yogasana Championship reflects the strength of our youth, our culture and our vision of positioning India at the forefront of emerging global sports.”

Dr Jaideep Arya, Secretary General, World Yogasana and Yogasana Bharat, said, “My primary focus has been to ensure strong participation from all five continents. More than 60 countries are joining this movement and the enthusiasm and response are growing rapidly. There is tremendous excitement among athletes, institutions and national federations globally.”

Mr Udit Sheth, President, Yogasana Bharat, said, “Yogasana has the potential to become India’s greatest sporting contribution to the world, and that is where we are heading. This is more than a championship. It is the beginning of a global sporting movement born in India and packaged for the world with modern teaching, scoring and broadcasting systems.”

Dr Sanjay Malpani, President, Asian Yogasana and Vice President, World Yogasana and Yogasana Bharat, and Ms Ekta Bouderlique, Secretary, World Yogasana, also spoke.