Yoga at the Asian Games? IOA begins push to get discipline included as sport in Asiad | Sport-others News

Close on the heels of news that India is exploring option to add yoga as potential new sport for 2036 Olympic Games if it wins hosting rights for the showpiece event, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has initiated a move to include the discipline in the Asian Games.
IOA president PT Usha has written a letter to Olympic Council of Asia President Raja Randhir Singh in which she has urged the Asian sports community to include the ancient Indian discipline that foster physical and mental health, according to a press release from IOA.
“The world celebrated the 10th International Day of Yoga on June 21 and the response to its universal appeal has been overwhelming,” she wrote. “People across nations have embraced yoga and drawn benefits. I am confident that as the spiritual home of yoga and as Vishwaguru, India can campaign for the inclusion of the sport in the Asian Games and eventually the Olympic Games as well,” she said.
The IOA President added: “Yoga as a sport con be a very attractive proposition for broadcasters. Yoga has been a part of the Khelo India Games. Seeing its success, the National Games organisers in Goa included yoga, including mallakhambh and yogasanas as part of the programme. I am sure that the Olympic Council of Asia will find good reason to accept my proposal.”
The legendary track and field star also pointed out that the Louvre Museum in Paris will offer visitors a chance to take part in yoga sessions with instructors ahead of the Olympics next month. “It is heartening that the Louvre is welcoming yoga. It is our responsibility to make the sport gain recognition getting it included in the Asian Games and Olympic Games,” she said.
The Indian Express had reported last week how India is likely to push for the inclusion of yoga, which has been the country’s soft-power tool, in the sports programme for the 2036 Olympics. Yoga is among the six sports that the Mission Olympics Cell — under the Sports Minry — feels can be recommended for inclusion in the Olympics. The other five are: Twenty20 cricket, kabaddi, chess, squash and kho kho.
Usha also mentioned that Union Miner for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya was very encouraging and appreciative of the idea to make a case for yoga in the Asian Games. “He told me that he sees the inclusion in the Asian Games would be the first step in taking the sport to the Olympics. We need our indigenous sport to be on such platforms,” Dr. Usha said.