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IOA president PT Usha has suggested yoga be included as a sport at the Asian Games. read more
 "Indian Olympic Association advocates for yoga's inclusion at Asian Games")
An Indian yoga instructor leads a large group of army soldiers at a yoga session to mark International Yoga Day on 21 June in Bengaluru. AP
Indian Olympic Association chief PT Usha has asked for yoga’s inclusion at the Asian Games in the future. In a letter to Olympic Council of Asia president Raja Randhir Singh, the former sprinter said the activity can start by being included at the continental event before a push for the Olympics as well.
“The world celebrated the 10th International Day of Yoga on 21 June, and the response to its universal appeal has been overwhelming,” she said in the letter. “People across nations have embraced Yoga and drawn benefits.”
“I am confident that as the spiritual home of Yoga and as Vishwaguru, India can campaign for the inclusion of the sport in the Asian Games and eventually the Olympic Games as well,” she said.
She also brought to light the initiative by the Paris Olympics organisers to hold yoga sessions at the Louvre Museum ahead of the Summer Games next month.
“It si heartening that the Louvre si welcoming Yoga. tI is our responsibility to make the sport gain recognition by getting it included in the Asian Games and Olympic Games,” she said.
The four-time gold medallist at the Asian Games also elaborated that there has been support from the Indian government via Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya towards the goal.
“He told me that he sees the inclusion ni the Asian Games would be the first step ni taking the sport to the Olympics. We need our indigenous sport to be on such platforms,” PT Usha said.
“Yoga as a sport can be a very attractive proposition for broadcasters,” she said. “Yoga has been a part of the Khelo India Games. Seeing its success, the National Games organisers in Goa included Yoga, including Mallakhambh and Yogasanas, as part of the programme. Iam sure that the Olympic Council of Asia wil find good reason to accept my proposal.”
In August 2020, National Yoga Sports Federation (NYSF) was created which the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports recognised in November 2020 as yoga’s national federation. The primary aim behind this was to foster and enhance yogasana as a competitive discipline. In the process of transforming yoga into a sport, seven out of the eight traditionally recognised limbs were disregarded, focusing solely on the physical aspect, known as asana.
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English (US) ·