Ahmedabad, June 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the First World Yoga Asana Championship 2026, held virtually from June 4 to 8 in Ahmedabad. He emphasized that yoga, as a sport, has the potential to create significant employment opportunities.
During the inauguration, PM Modi stated, “Every tradition evolves over time. This World Championship marks a new phase for yoga asana. Through this championship, yoga asana will gain recognition as a competitive sport. I believe that in the future, yoga asana will secure its place in international sporting events, including the Olympics. The harder we work, the more rewarding the outcomes will be. The role of the first World Yoga Asana Championship in Ahmedabad will be crucial.”
He added, “Yoga as a sport brings with it an entire ecosystem. It generates new employment opportunities. As yoga asana expands as a sport, the possibilities associated with it will also grow. This will create new opportunities for athletes, coaches, sports scientists, researchers, and event managers.”
The Prime Minister recalled that a decade ago, India proposed the International Yoga Day at the United Nations. “We aimed to connect our ancient Indian tradition with the health and collective welfare of humanity. It is heartening to see millions of people incorporating yoga into their lives. Meditation and pranayama are becoming integral to their lifestyles,” he remarked.
He also mentioned that International Yoga Day will be celebrated on June 21, with various yoga-related events taking place in different countries. This year, the main event will be held in Kolkata, another historic city in India. He described the World Yoga Asana Championship as a double dose of health and wellness ahead of International Yoga Day, which has the theme “Yoga for Healthy Aging.”
PM Modi extended his best wishes to participants from over 60 countries attending the First World Yoga Asana Championship and encouraged them to spread the message of yoga in their respective nations, becoming ambassadors of yoga.
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