New Delhi, June 3: Udit Seth, President of Yoga Asana India and Vice President of World Yoga Asana, believes that transforming Yoga Asana into a globally recognized sport involves more than just competitions and medals. It is about creating an ecosystem that includes institutional support, commercial viability, world-class presentation, and international participation.
As India strives to establish itself as a sports powerhouse, Seth sees a unique opportunity in Yoga Asana. He credits Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for their guidance and support, which have been pivotal in shaping the journey of Yoga Asana’s development.
Seth stated, “The Prime Minister has clearly emphasized that when we talk about Yoga Asana as a sport, we must treat it like one. It should not be viewed merely as a spiritual activity. It needs to be global, with a robust federation structure, world-class commentary, and increased international participation.”
According to Seth, this clarity of thought has helped elevate the sport beyond cultural or health perspectives. It has encouraged stakeholders to build the necessary frameworks for international growth. He also praised the role of government agencies in establishing Yoga Asana across the country.
He remarked, “The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has played a crucial role by providing support through programs like ACTC and ensuring that championships receive backing from both state and central governments.”
For Seth, these efforts are part of a larger mission that requires coordination among sports, education, and diplomatic institutions. He believes that the long-term future of Yoga Asana depends on creating a sustainable global ecosystem rather than merely organizing events.
With nearly two decades of experience in sports infrastructure and entrepreneurship, Seth sees parallels between building sports facilities and developing the sport itself. Before taking on a leadership role in Yoga Asana, he was instrumental in creating one of India’s largest sports infrastructure projects, ‘The Arena by TransStadia.’ This experience has shaped his vision for the expansion of Yoga Asana.
Seth stated, “I had the opportunity to work closely with our Prime Minister during the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) phase of infrastructure development. I learned a lot about his approach to work and nation-building. We want to bring that mindset into the journey of Yoga Asana.”
He argues that executing work correctly is where many ambitious sports projects either succeed or fail. Whether it’s a stadium, a league, or an emerging sport, ultimately, its sustainability determines its long-term success.
Despite a significant increase in participation in Yoga Asana, Seth believes the next challenge is to make it economically viable and appealing to audiences worldwide.
Today, the sport features clearly defined judging criteria, various categories based on difficulty, challenge rounds, an electronic scoring system, and multiple event formats. Athletes compete individually, in pairs, and in rhythmic and artistic categories, with their performances evaluated on various technical and artistic standards.
Seth emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about this distinction so that the appeal of Yoga Asana extends beyond those already familiar with yoga. Once audiences understand that Yoga Asana functions as a competitive sport, the challenge becomes making it engaging to watch. This is where technology, broadcasting, and production quality become essential.
Unlike many other global sports that originated elsewhere and were later adopted in India, Yoga Asana offers the country a unique opportunity to contribute something entirely its own to the international sports arena.
Seth believes that this potential makes the project far more significant than any single championship or medal count. He argues that yoga is already a crucial part of athletes’ training in various sports. Top athletes worldwide have embraced yoga to enhance flexibility, recovery, balance, and mental preparation, further solidifying its global relevance.
For this reason, Udit Seth views Yoga Asana not just as another emerging sport but as one that bridges tradition and modernity while showcasing India’s cultural heritage on a global stage.
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