The Ministry of Ayush and Youth Affairs has formally recognised Yogasana as a competitive sport at a joint press conference this week. The aim is to increase awareness about Yoga and its benefits among the youths.
The Minister of Ayush Shripad Yesso Naik and the minister of sports Kiren Rijiju announced, Yogasana will be a part of competitive sports and will be part of Khelo India at the national and university games.
Naik said, ” The Yogasana competitions can be traced back to centuries. They are still being conducted today at multiple levels, but a strong and sustainable structure to impart national visibility to the competitions is yet to emerge.”
He further said that the Government’s decision comes after 3-4 years of wide consultations with the stakeholders of the Yoga sector. The Minister also said that Yogasana is an integral and important component of Yoga, which is psycho-physical in nature and popular across the globe for its efficacy in fitness and general wellness.
Sports Minister Rijiju said, “Yogasana has been a competitive sport for a long time. But it was waiting for recognition by the Government of India so that it becomes an official and recognised competitive sport,” said Sports minister Rijiju. “Now that we are officially launching it at a competitive sport and I am sure it will go a long way,” he added.
India had recently established the National Yogasana Sports Federation of India (NYSFI) for preservation and development of yoga as a competitive sport. Rijiju also said the sports ministry will start providing financial support to the NYSFI to help the organisation to chart out its plan for the coming year. “Till now it wasn’t recognised but now that it has come under the Sports Ministry will start by providing the NYSFI with financial support to make their annual training and calendar,” said the Sports Minister.
Yoga is set to be also introduced in the Khelo India School and University Games programme. The ministry has proposed 51 medals in four events across seven different categories. Both the ministries have also proposed organising a pilot championship, which will be called the National Individual Yogasana Sport Championship, to be held next year in February.
Currently, Yoga is being taught at the School level and is included in All India School level games. Now that it has been given the Sports status, the National Champions will easily avail benefits at par to other Sports Champions
Lack of Ministry of Sports recognition to Yogasana as Sports makes it difficult for students. This will have the following benefits.
EDUCATION: Avail Admission in School & Colleges under Sports Quota System,
- GOVERNMENT JOB:Job Availability as par to Other Sports Quota in Government sectors (e.g. Railways, Income Tax, Police, Army, Post, etc)
- EMPLOYMENT:Appointment of Yogasana Coaches in Schools & Colleges will increase Job employment opportunities,
- HEALTH & WELLNESS:The practice of Yogasana among school goings kids will be increased and it will ultimately lead to active, healthy, and disciplined citizens.
- INDIAN SPORTS:Korea gifted Taekwondo, China gifted Karate, USA got Basketball, and So India Gifted Yogasana to the World Sports.
