Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first World Yogasana Championship in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on June 4, 2026, through a video message. The event marks a historic milestone in global sports legacy and represents yoga's entry into a transformative new phase with contemporary relevance. Ahmedabad, a UNESCO World Heritage City, hosts this pioneering championship, which precedes the World Yoga Day celebrations scheduled for June 21st with main programs in Kolkata.
The Prime Minister highlighted that approximately a decade ago, India approached the United Nations with a proposal for International Yoga Day, which received support from 190 countries. He expressed confidence that through this championship, yogasana will gain recognition as a competitive sport and eventually be included in the Olympics and other multi-sports events. The event is expected to create new career opportunities for athletes, trainers, sports scientists, researchers, and event managers as yogasana expands as a sport.
This year's International Day of Yoga theme is "Yoga for Healthy Ageing," positioning yoga as a suitable option for those seeking measures to maintain health and activity for longer periods. The Prime Minister promoted the Ministry of Ayush's 'Yoga 365' campaign and appealed to participating athletes to become global ambassadors of yoga, carrying the message back to their respective countries. The championship aims to connect the ancient Indian tradition with modern health and collective welfare needs while establishing yogasana as a recognized competitive discipline.