India on Tuesday unveiled the first-ever World Yogasana Championship 2026, a move aimed at positioning Yogasana as a globally recognised sporting discipline and strengthening its case for eventual Olympic recognition.The inaugural edition of the championship will be held from June 4 to 8, 2026, at the Eka Arena in Ahmedabad, with participation expected from over 60 countries.Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, unveiled the championship in New Delhi in the presence of federation leaders.The event is expected to bring together elite Yogasana athletes and delegations from countries including Uganda, Zambia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Kenya, Japan, Oman, Mauritius and the Netherlands.Yogasana, a competitive format of yoga involving scored postures and routines, has in recent years gained traction as sports bodies seek to establish it as a formal sporting discipline rooted in India’s ancient wellness tradition.The unveiling ceremony featured the launch of the championship logo, trophy, official jersey and mascot, Veer the Lion.The championship will feature categories such as Traditional Yogasana, Artistic Yogasana, Rhythmic Pairs and Team Events, with competitions across junior, youth and elite divisions under internationally standardised rules and judging systems.Speaking at the launch, Mandaviya said, “India gifted yoga to the world under the leadership of Hon’ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, and the nation is now leading the movement to establish Yogasana as a globally recognised competitive sport. The World Yogasana Championship reflects the strength of our youth, our culture, and our vision of positioning India at the forefront of emerging global sports.”Dr Jaideep Arya, Secretary General, World Yogasana and Yogasana Bharat, said more than 60 countries across five continents had joined the movement, with participation continuing to expand.“At present, we are training and developing teams, technical officials and leadership structures. Our vision is not only to organise championships, but also to establish Yogasana as a sporting discipline rooted in India’s ancient wisdom, while aligning with modern sports governance and international standards,” Arya said.Udit Sheth, President, Yogasana Bharat, said the championship represented the beginning of a global sporting movement backed by modern teaching, scoring and broadcasting systems.The World Yogasana Championship 2026 is being supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Ministry of Ayush, Sports Authority of India, Sports Authority of Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism and Gujarat Yogasana Sports Association.The championship marks India’s latest effort to institutionalise Yogasana as a competitive global sport, as organisers seek wider international participation and eventual recognition within the Olympic movement.