Yogasana can emerge as a major international sporting discipline, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said on October 2, as he called on Indian athletes to prepare for competition at the highest global level.
Khemchand made the remarks while inaugurating the 38th National Yogasana Championship 2026 and the selection trial for the 12th World Yogasana Championship 2027 in Thailand at the Khuman Lampak Main Indoor Stadium in Imphal.
Yogasana gets fresh global push
The Manipur chief minister said the ancient Indian practice has gained global visibility and could eventually develop into an international sporting discipline. He also expressed the view that Yogasana could, in the coming years, become an Olympic sporting event.
However, Khemchand stressed that athletes must prepare systematically if India wants to compete successfully at major international championships. He urged players to develop both physical and mental readiness for demanding competitions.
His comments came as Manipur hosted one of the country’s major national Yogasana events. The championship is being held from October 2 to 4 and also serves as the selection trial for India’s team for the 2027 World Yogasana Championship in Thailand.
National championship opens in Imphal
The three-day event is organised by the Manipur Yoga Society in collaboration with the All-India Yoga Culture Federation. Athletes from different parts of India are taking part in the championship and selection process.
The event is being held under the theme “Yogasana for Health, Harmony and National Unity.” It combines national-level competition with an opportunity to identify athletes who could represent India at the next world championship.
Meanwhile, the organisers have positioned the event as a platform to promote Yogasana as a competitive discipline while also highlighting its health and social benefits.
Khemchand points to need for preparation
Khemchand used India’s experience in hockey to underline the importance of sustained preparation. He said India’s long association with hockey did not always ensure continued success at the highest level, pointing to the need for systematic training.
Therefore, he asked Yogasana players to prepare from now for global and world championships and, eventually, Olympic-level competition. His remarks placed emphasis on training and performance rather than relying only on the country’s long association with Yoga.
The chief minister also recalled his association with Yoga since 2014 and said the practice should not be viewed simply as physical exercise. According to him, it has wider benefits for the body, mind and overall well-being.
Manipur seeks wider sporting recognition
The push for greater recognition comes as Yogasana continues to develop as a competitive sport in India. The national championship in Imphal includes athletes competing across traditional, rhythmic and artistic categories, according to preparations announced by the Manipur Yoga Society.
Additionally, the 2027 World Yogasana Championship in Thailand gives Indian competitors another international target. The current selection trial will determine the athletes who will represent the country at that event.
Khemchand also referred to the international spread of Yoga and the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the International Day of Yoga resolution in 2014. He linked that global reach with the possibility of Yogasana gaining wider recognition as a competitive sport.
Yogasana athletes urged to carry peace message
Khemchand also used the national championship to send a broader message about Manipur. Welcoming participants from different states, he urged them to carry a message of peace when they return home.
He asked the participants to share a positive message about Manipur and contribute to presenting the state positively outside the region. The appeal added a social dimension to an event primarily focused on competitive sport.
Minister for Home and Youth Affairs and Sports Govindas Konthoujam also addressed the gathering. He highlighted discipline, concentration, physical fitness, mental balance, self-control and perseverance as qualities associated with Yogasana.
The championship now provides Indian athletes with a national platform to compete and seek selection for the 2027 world event. As Yogasana seeks a larger international sporting profile, the focus will remain on consistent training, competitive standards and performance at global championships.