Ahmedabad : As the inaugural World Yogasana Championships bring together athletes from across continents, countries from the Gulf region are emerging as some of the strongest advocates of Yogasana’s transformation from a traditional wellness practice into a globally recognised competitive sport.
Leading this movement are Oman and Bahrain, whose growing investment in athlete development, training programmes and international participation reflects the sport’s expanding appeal far beyond its country of origin.
Officials and delegates attending the championship believe that Yogasana is entering a new phase of global growth, driven by increasing awareness about physical fitness, mental well-being and preventive healthcare.
The enthusiasm witnessed at the world championship, they say, is evidence that Yogasana is steadily establishing itself as a serious sporting discipline with an increasingly international character.
Deputy Competition Manager from Bahrain, Yousuf Jarrah Al Dosari, said countries around the world are making significant efforts to promote and strengthen Yogasana as a competitive sport. According to him, the growing participation in international competitions demonstrates the commitment of athletes, coaches and national federations towards advancing the discipline.
“The level of participation we are seeing today is a reflection of the dedication and hard work being undertaken by athletes and sporting organisations worldwide,” Al Dosari said. “More countries are investing in training programmes, coaching development and grassroots outreach. This is helping Yogasana reach new audiences and inspiring more young people to take up the sport.”
He noted that international federations and national bodies are working closely to improve technical standards, create structured pathways for athletes and organise competitions that provide valuable exposure to emerging talent. Such efforts, he said, are laying the foundation for sustained growth in the years ahead.
Al Dosari attributed much of Yogasana’s growing popularity to changing global attitudes towards health and wellness. As societies increasingly focus on preventive healthcare, stress management and active lifestyles, yoga has found relevance among people of all age groups.
“People are becoming more conscious about preventive healthcare, mental wellness and physical fitness. Yoga fits naturally into that conversation,” he said. “We have organised workshops, demonstrations and training sessions to introduce Yogasana to new audiences, and the response has been very encouraging.”
According to him, exposure to world-class events such as the World Yogasana Championships plays a crucial role in accelerating the development of athletes and coaches. Competing alongside some of the best practitioners in the world enables participants to learn new techniques, understand international standards and elevate their overall performance.
“International competitions motivate athletes to take their training more seriously. When they compete against top performers from different countries, they gain confidence, experience and a better understanding of what is required to succeed at the highest level,” he added.
The optimism surrounding the sport’s future is strongly shared by Oman, one of the standout performers at the championship. The country secured an impressive 21 medals, marking one of the most successful campaigns by a Gulf nation at the event.
Salha Hakeem, President of Yoga Oman, described the achievement as a landmark moment for the country’s Yogasana journey.
“We are extremely proud of this achievement. Winning 21 medals at the first-ever Yogasana World Championships is a historic milestone for Oman and reflects the dedication, discipline and hard work of our athletes, coaches and the entire Yoga Oman team,” she said.
For Oman, the medal haul is the culmination of years of systematic efforts aimed at nurturing talent, strengthening coaching standards and encouraging wider participation in yoga-related activities. Officials believe the success will inspire a new generation of athletes and further accelerate the sport’s growth across the country.
Beyond the medals, Oman’s performance has demonstrated the increasing competitiveness of Gulf nations in international Yogasana events. It has also highlighted how investments in sports development and wellness initiatives are beginning to yield tangible results on the global stage.
Dr. Jaydeep Arya, General Secretary of World Yogasana and Yogasana Bharat, said the discipline had evolved into a competitive sport distinct from traditional yoga, with an emphasis on athletic performance, endurance, flexibility and fitness.
“Yoga is a journey towards self-realisation and spiritual growth, while yogasana is a competitive sport. Fitness, endurance and flexibility form the foundation of yogasana. Athletes compete on technical parameters, much like in any other sport,” Arya said.
The remarks come amid growing efforts by Indian organisations to establish yogasana as a globally recognised sporting discipline.
Arya said the first World Yogasana Championship had helped clarify the distinction between yoga as a holistic practice and yogasana as a competitive event, a differentiation that organisers believe is essential for securing international sporting recognition.
“yogasana has already gained traction within the Commonwealth Games movement and is steadily progressing towards broader acceptance by international sporting bodies”, he said.
