A New Chapter Added to the History of Global Sports from Ahmedabad
– The First World Yogasana Championship Will Give Yoga a New Identity as a Global Competitive Sport
While virtually inaugurating the First World Yogasana Championship 2026 in Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that Ahmedabad has added a new chapter to the history of global sports. He welcomed and conveyed his best wishes to all the athletes from different countries participating in the championship in India.
The Prime Minister stated that Ahmedabad, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage City, has become the host of this historic event, which is a matter of pride for the entire nation. He added that International Yoga Day will be celebrated on June 21, and the World Yogasana Championship being held ahead of it is like a “double dose” of health and wellness.
The Prime Minister recalled that nearly a decade ago, India had proposed International Yoga Day at the United Nations, which received support from 190 countries. He added that it is a matter of great satisfaction that today crores of people are making yoga, meditation and pranayama a part of their daily lives.
The Prime Minister said that every living tradition enters a new phase with time, and the World Yogasana Championship marks the beginning of such a new phase. This competition will provide Yogasana with a global identity as a competitive sport. He expressed confidence that in the future, Yogasana will find a place in international sporting events, including the Olympics, and that this first championship in Ahmedabad will play an important role in that journey.
He stated that every major sporting discipline develops a vast ecosystem that creates new employment and career opportunities. With the expansion of Yogasana sports, new possibilities will emerge for athletes, trainers, sports scientists, researchers and event managers as well.
Mentioning that this year’s International Yoga Day theme is ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’, the Prime Minister said that people today are looking for simple ways to remain healthy and active for longer periods, and yoga is the most suitable option. Yoga provides freedom from both indulgence and disease and is the best path towards a healthy lifestyle at minimal cost. He also gave the message, “Practice Yoga Every Day, Keep All Diseases Away.”
PM stated that to further this vision, the Ministry of Ayush of the Government of India has launched the ‘Yoga Three Sixty Five’ campaign. He urged the athletes participating in the championship to return to their countries and become global ambassadors of the message of yoga.
The Prime Minister stated that regardless of who wins this competition, all participants have already become champions by being part of this important chapter in history. Their talent and discipline will inspire youth across the world.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel
Chief Minister expressed joy and pride over the organisation of the First World Yogasana Championship in Ahmedabad and stated that due to the dedicated efforts of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, yoga, the invaluable gift of Indian culture, has today been established across the world as a powerful medium for health and well-being.
The Chief Minister said that after securing global recognition for June 21 as International Yoga Day, Yogasana is now earning a place on the global sporting map as well. More than 78 countries are enthusiastically participating in this championship, which is proof that yoga is no longer confined to a single nation but has become a global sport.
Crossing the boundaries of nations, languages, religions and cultures, yoga has today secured an important place in the lives of people across the world by promoting health, mental peace and a positive lifestyle.
He added that under the guidance of the Prime Minister, Ahmedabad is progressing towards becoming a Sports Capital and is preparing to host the Commonwealth Games 2030. To realise the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’, building a disease-free and healthy society through yoga and pranayama is essential. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that such events will become a people’s movement and contribute to building a healthy and prosperous India.
Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya
On this occasion, Union Sports Minister said that yoga, India’s “soft power”, is now being established as a global sport. He stated that when the first Football World Cup was held, only 13 countries participated, whereas more than 500 competitors from 78 countries are participating in this first Yogasana World Cup, making it a proud moment for India.
He stated that yoga has gained global recognition due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Now, the Government of India is promoting Yogasana as a sport. He added that a decision has been taken to include Yogasana in the Commonwealth Games to be held in Ahmedabad in 2030, and the Central Government is making determined efforts to secure its place in the Olympics 2036 as well.
He congratulated the State Government and the Yogasana Federation team for the successful organisation of the event. He proudly stated that whenever the history of the first Yogasana Championship is written in the future, Ahmedabad and Gujarat will be remembered in golden letters.
Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev
Welcoming the participants of the First World Yogasana Championship being held in Ahmedabad, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev said that this marks the grand beginning of a historic yoga festival.
He said that this programme is not merely a competition but a divine effort towards self-inspiration and self-elevation that presents the essence of India’s eternal culture before the world. That is why, despite the war situation in the Middle East, countries like Iran and Iraq have chosen participation in yoga over conflict and are conveying the message that “Yoga Is Unity.”
