Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched the historic global sports movement in New Delhi
60+ countries will participate as India takes yoga to the world stage
- Bilkul Online
- Ahmedabad | 26 May 2026
A historic milestone for Indian sports and global well-being, the inaugural edition of the World Yoga Championship (WYC) 2026, the first global championship dedicated to Yoga as a competitive sport, was officially unveiled today in New Delhi by the Hon’ble Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Labour and Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya in the presence of federation leaders.
WYC 2026, to be held from June 4 to 8, 2026 at Eka Arena, Ahmedabad, will bring together top yoga athletes and delegations from over 60 countries including Uganda, Zambia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Kenya, Japan, Oman, Mauritius and the Netherlands, beginning India’s ambitious journey to establish yoga as a globally recognized sports discipline and pave the way towards Olympic recognition.
The official unveiling ceremony saw the launch of a highly creative championship logo, trophy, official jersey and Veer the Lion mascot, symbolising the emergence of yoga as a modern global sport rooted in India’s timeless heritage. The identity of the championship reflects athletic excellence, global unity, youth aspiration and well-being and India’s leadership in sports. It is a fusion of our heritage with the movement of developing India.
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 India, Gujarat Tourism and Gujarat Yogasana Sports Association, representing a collaborative national effort to place Yogasana on the world sports map.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said, “India, under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has gifted the world with Yoga, and the nation is now leading the movement to establish Yoga as a globally recognized competitive sport. The World Yoga Championship reflects the power of our youth, our culture and our vision to put India at the forefront of emerging global sports. This Championship is a great step towards the global expansion of our sport which is the gateway to the Yoga lifestyle. I welcome all countries to India and am confident that this Championship will pave the way for a new Yoga Sports Economy.”
Dr. Jaideep Arya, Secretary General of World Yoga and Yoga India, added, “My primary focus is to ensure strong participation from all 5 continents. More than 60 countries are joining this movement and the enthusiasm and response is growing rapidly. There is immense enthusiasm from all the athletes, organizations and national federations globally. Currently, we are training and developing teams, technical officers and leadership structure and our vision is not only to organize the championships but also to establish Yoga as a sports discipline rooted in the ancient wisdom of India, which is in line with modern sports governance and international standards.
Yogasana India President Shri Udit Sheth said, “Yogasana has the potential to be India’s biggest sporting contribution to the world, and that is where we are heading. This is not just a championship, it is the beginning of a global sports movement born in India and equipped for the world with modern education, scoring and broadcasting systems. With athletes and officials from different continents coming together in Ahmedabad, the World Yogasana Championship is a crucial milestone in taking India’s ancient knowledge to the world of modern sports. We welcome all teams and athletes to the birthplace of yoga, India. As a sport, it should be exciting, the channel will not change, the commentary will be first class.”
Dr. Sanjay Malpani, President of Asian Yogasana and Vice President of World Yogasana and Yogasana India, said, “Across Asia and beyond, Yogasana is fast emerging as one of the most exciting new sports disciplines for young athletes. This championship will inspire an entire generation to see Yogasana not just as a form of wellness, but also as a sport, performance and international competition. I am confident that this championship will take a step towards every country embracing the sport of Yogasana.”
Ekta Bouderlik, Secretary of World Yoga, said, “Many people ask how yoga can become a competitive sport. But if we really want to inspire young people around the world to embrace yoga as a lifelong discipline, sports become the way forward. Through ongoing conversations with ICCR, the diplomatic community and international networks, we are seeing yoga as a discipline that nurtures balance, focus, resilience, character and the right values from a young age.”
Ahmedabad and the state of Gujarat are ready to welcome the world for this historic championship, which strengthens Gujarat’s growing reputation as a global destination for international sporting events, wellness tourism and youth-driven cultural exchange.
The championship will feature multiple competitive categories including traditional yoga, artistic yoga, rhythmic pair and team events, in which athletes will compete in junior, youth and senior categories under internationally standardized rules and judging systems.
The World Yoga Championship is also being seen as an important milestone in the long-term roadmap towards yoga’s inclusion in major international multi-sport events and eventual Olympic recognition.
As the countdown begins for June 2026, the World Yoga Championships are set to become more than just a sporting event. It represents the birth of a new global sports movement led by India, where ancient wisdom meets modern athletic excellence on the world stage.