The Union sports ministry has announced that yogasana is a competitive sport
Bengaluru: In a fitting tribute to yoga, the Union sports ministry has announced that yogasana is a competitive sport.
It is also important to note that this will enable government funding of the ancient practice.
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and minister of AYUSH (Ayurveda Yoga and Naturopathy Unani Sidda Homoeopathy) Shripad Yesso Naik took part in an event for a formal declaration.
The sports minister said, “Yogasana has been a competitive sport for a long time. But it has to be recognised by the Government of India so that it becomes an official and recognised competitive sport, as reported by PTI.
“Today is a big day, we are launching it formally as a competitive sport and I am sure it will go a long way,” he further added.
It might be recalled that an International Yogasana Sports Federation was formed under the presidentship of yoga guru Baba Ramdev with HR Nagendra as secretary general in November last year.
A National Yogasana Sport Federation of India (NYSFI) was also established for preservation and development of yoga as a competitive sport. It was recognised by the sports ministry as a National Sports Federation (NSF) last month, the news agency adds.
Rijiju said the sports ministry will start by providing financial support to the NYSFI so that the federation can chart out its plan for the coming year.
“Till now it wasn’t recognised but now that it has come under us, the Sports Ministry will start by providing the NYSF with financial support to make their annual training and calender”.
It is to be noted that yogasana will also be included in the Khelo India School and University Games.
“It’s popularity will not doubt increase in India and we will include it in the Khelo India School and University Games,” the sports minister added.
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