The first-ever BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Demonstration Games concluded in Ahmedabad, featuring nearly 160 participants from 10 member nations. India prominently showcased yogasana and mallakhamb, alongside other traditional sports like kalaripayattu. The event also saw demonstrations of wushu from China, togyzkumalak from Kazakhstan, and Jiu-Jitsu from Brazil. Participants from South Africa, China, and Russia praised India's hospitality and the cultural exchange.
The Sports Ministry has initiated a fresh application process for a national Yogasana federation, setting a September 17 deadline. This follows a Delhi High Court ruling that quashed the recognition of Yogasana Bharat and mandated a new affiliation procedure. Eligible bodies must submit detailed applications, adhering to the National Sports Governance Act, which includes specific requirements for executive committee composition.
The first-ever World Yogasana Championships 2026 are set to begin in Ahmedabad, featuring over 400 athletes from more than 60 countries.
Dr. Jaideep Arya, Secretary General of World Yogasana and Yogasana Bharat, states that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support has significantly boosted Yogasana's bid for Olympic recognition. He highlights the efforts to rebrand Yogasana as a competitive sport for younger generations and its accessibility, despite challenges like geopolitical tensions affecting participation.
A team of yoga athletes from the United States is heading to India to participate in the maiden World Yogasana Championship to be held in Ahmedabad from June 4 to 8.
Yogasana, the ancient Indian practice, is aiming to become a global sport and secure a place in the 2036 Olympics, with India hoping to host the Games in Ahmedabad. The sport has already been included in this year's Asian Games as a demonstration sport and is eyeing the 2030 Commonwealth Games. World Yogasana is working to meet the IOC's requirements for recognition, focusing on expanding its global reach and adhering to anti-doping standards.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Demonstration Games 2026 in Ahmedabad on Monday. Organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Gujarat government, the event on 12 October 2026, under India's BRICS Chairmanship, will feature traditional sports like Mallakhamb, Yogasana, and Kalaripayattu from India. The non-competitive Games aim to foster cultural exchange and knowledge-sharing among BRICS and partner countries including Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Africa, and the UAE.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games, emphasising India's commitment to placing sport at the core of nation-building through significant investment in infrastructure and grassroots development. He highlighted India's indigenous sports like Mallakhamb, Yogasana, and Kalaripayattu, and discussed the country's ambition to host major international events, including the 2036 Olympic Games.
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026 in Ahmedabad, emphasising the role of traditional sports in reflecting cultural identity and fostering international cooperation. The one-day event, hosted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, brought together delegations from BRICS and partner countries to showcase indigenous sporting practices like Mallakhamb, Yogasana, and Kalaripayattu from India, alongside Wushu from China and Sambo from Russia. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also highlighted India's rich sporting heritage and proposed initiatives for global promotion and preservation of traditional sports.
The Yoga Federation of India (YFI) announced its intention to seek recognition from the Sports Ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) following a Delhi High Court decision. The court set aside Yogasana Bharat's national federation status, mandating a fresh affiliation process. YFI plans to meet with IOA President P T Usha and Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya to present its vision for Yogasana development.
The Income Tax Department in Mumbai has inducted 97 accomplished sportspersons under its sports quota, including cricketer Tejal Hasabnis and para shooter Akash, to strengthen its commitment to recognising sporting excellence and nurturing talent in public service.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said Yogasana would be pushed for inclusion in the future Olympic Games roster keeping in mind India's bid to host the 2036 Games.
The National Sports Awards in India have been delayed due to a re-evaluation process aimed at ensuring only deserving athletes receive the honour. The Sports Ministry is reassessing Arjuna Award recommendations to maintain the award's value and avoid controversies.
The National Sports Awards have been delayed due to a re-evaluation process by the Sports Ministry to ensure only deserving athletes are honoured. The ministry aims to establish clearer criteria to avoid controversies and ensure deserving athletes are recognised without unnecessary hurdles.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlights India's transformation in sports, moving beyond cricket and hockey to achieve global recognition, driven by government investment and initiatives like the Khelo India programme.
Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare expressed satisfaction with India's preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, following a multi-city review of venues and infrastructure.
'I want to say to my Muslim friends that if they want to free Islam from the curse of terrorism, they have to embrace spirituality and yoga helps that. Yoga promotes serenity.'
'It is a beautiful portrait of Ek Bharat, Sreshth Bharat.'
Except for shooting, a major Olympic sport, most of the top stars in other disciplines will give the National Games a miss.
Yeh Hai India, capturing events and moods across our incredible country.
If approved, yoga could debut as a demonstration sport in the 2026 Games in Nagoya, Japan, marking a significant milestone in its journey from a spiritual practice to a recognised competitive discipline.
The Yoga Federation of India contended that the recognition granted to the National Yogasana Sports Federation is arbitrary and suffers from malafide intentions.
rediffGURU and yoga expert Radhika Iyer offers advice on how yoga can help you improve your overall health and wellness.
Sports Ministry formally recognises yogasana as competitive sport.
Olympian shooter Manu Bhaker, sprinter Dutee Chand and swimmer Srihari Nataraj are some of the big names to feature in the Khelo India University Games to be held in Bengaluru from April 24 to May 3.
rediffGURU and yoga expert Radhika Iyer offers advice on how yoga can help you improve your overall health and wellness.
Services added three gold to their collection and remain on top of the charts with 56 gold, 34 silver and 30 bronze medals for a total of 120.
The protocol provides an approach for managing patients who have recovered from COVID-19 for care at home.
'Yoga is magic!' 'Other than keeping me physically fit, it helps me be calm and emotionally balanced. It gives me a lot of energy that keeps me productive throughout the day.'
The four selected games represent different parts of the country.
Prime Minister Modi is tweeting information about different exercises involved in it as part of his efforts to make the event a grand success.
Swami Dharmanishthananda from Rishikesh's Divine Life Society, of Sadguru Swami Sivananda, is conducting a yogasana camp in Mumbai.
Ease out body stiffness with these asanas when you travel.
Wellness expert Roopashree Sharma suggests ways to calm the stomach.
'If the meditative yoga programme we had developed for the elderly was practised for one hour every day, five days in a week for six months, it could lead to an improvement in the overall quality of life of the elderly.'
'Yoga can increase the volume of hippocampus and improve memory.'
A few simple and efficient workouts to keep fresh through the day
India's new high commissioner in Islamabad goes to Pakistan at a time when the country is set to face much internal tumult.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's ailments are a "classic case" of faulty and stressful lifestyle but he has been "detoxified" to a large extent now, a senior doctor has said.
On display were PM Modi's pet projects like the 'Make in India' scheme and 'Jan Dhan Yojana'.
