GUWAHATI: India’s traditional sport, Yogasana, has been officially included as a demonstration event for the 2026 Asian Games, set to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
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The decision to incorporate Yogasana into the Asian Games programme was unanimously approved during the 44th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). At the same assembly, India's Randhir Singh was elected unopposed as the president of the OCA, securing a four-year term from 2024 to 2028.
"Yoga will be a demonstration sport in Nagoya as the calendar for the 2026 Asian Games has already been made and approved," said Randhir.
"In 10 days’ time, we have managed to convince all members and include yoga, which is being promoted by our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. "There are risks of injuries in all other sports, but yoga is a sport which rejuvenates your body," he added.
Singh further mentioned that yoga will need to make its impact in the Nagoya Games to be considered as a medal event in the 2030 Asian Games. "In Nagoya, yoga has to make its presence felt. We have to tell other nations about the benefits of Yogasana. We need to send instructors, teach other nations, and make it popular," he said.