Yoga set to be included in Asian Games as competitive sport following OCA's approval; PT Usha 'delighted'

In what comes as a pathbreaking development in sport, yoga is set to be included in the Asian Games programme following continued efforts from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). On 26 June, IOA president PT Usha had written to Randhir Singh , the acting chief of the Olympic Council of Asia, requesting for the inclusion of yoga as a sport in the Asian Games.

Usha on Monday shared that the OCA Executive Board has decided to include yoga in the Asian Games, and thanked Randhir for his “unflinching support”.

”I am delighted that the OCA Executive Board spontaneously agreed to India’s request to give yoga the recognition it deserves. The proposal shall now move through the Sports Committee to the General Assembly for confirmation,” Usha said in a statement released by the Indian Olympic Association.

Usha added that the inclusion of yoga was an important step as it helps the competitive sporting community to embrace yoga, courtesy of the vision and initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “It has a universal appeal and people around the world have embraced yoga and drawn benefits,” she said.

Usha also thanked Mansukh Mandaviya, the new Sports Minister, for making efforts to include the sport ahead of the OCA meeting. ”When we make a collective effort, led by the Prime Minister himself, we can achieve success seamlessly. I am glad India’s effort to have yoga included in the biggest celebrations of sport is finding resonance,” the 60 year-old said in the statement.

Mandaviya had earlier supported PT Usha’s attempt to get yoga included in the Asian Games. “It is only fair that in keeping with its wide popularity, yoga becomes a competitive sport and is in the Asian Games,” he had said in a statement.

Yogasana Bharat has already received recognition from the Sports Ministry for the development of yogasana as a competitive sport in India.