Ahmedabad World Championships fuel Yogasana’s rise in Middle East

Ahmedabad, June 10 (IANS) The inaugural World Yogasana Championships may have underlined India’s dominance in the sport, but for several Middle Eastern nations, the event represented something even more significant: an opportunity to accelerate the growth of competitive Yogasana across the region.

Held at the EKA Arena, the championships brought together 522 athletes from 78 countries, offering emerging Yogasana nations exposure to international competition, judging standards and coaching methods.

Countries such as Oman, Jordan, Iran and the United Arab Emirates were among the participants, highlighting the sport’s growing footprint in a region where yoga has traditionally been associated with wellness and fitness rather than organised competition.

Oman emerged as the most successful Gulf nation at the championships, securing 21 medals, including eight silver and 13 bronze medals. Jordan also made its mark with two bronze medals, while athletes from Iran and the UAE gained valuable experience competing on a global stage.

For 15-year-old Oman athlete Jay Rajesh Soneji, who won two bronze medals, the championships could have a lasting impact beyond the podium.

“It feels amazing. I am very happy with my performance. Winning two bronze medals is a big achievement for me,” Soneji told SAI Media.

More importantly, he believes the event will help popularise the sport in Oman.

“This event is going to create more awareness about yoga and encourage more people to take up the sport in Oman. I hope it continues to grow in the coming years,” he added.

Yoga Oman President Salha Hakeem described the country’s performance as a milestone moment for the sport.

“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.

Officials believe Oman’s success reflects a broader trend across the Gulf, where yoga has gained increasing acceptance over the past decade through growing health awareness, expatriate communities and government-backed wellness initiatives.

Jordan bronze medallist Maya Alostath said yoga is steadily attracting wider participation in her country.

“Yoga in Jordan is growing year after year. More people are beginning to understand that Yogasana is not only about flexibility or physical postures, but also about self-discovery, balance and inner strength,” she said.

For Maya, the world championships also demonstrated yoga’s power to transcend borders.

“This championship is not just about winning medals. It is about bringing together people from all over the world through the spirit of yoga,” she added.

Beyond medals, participants and officials stressed the importance of knowledge exchange and international exposure. Delegations returned home with insights into coaching systems, competition structures and athlete development pathways that could help establish stronger national programmes.

The championships also provided much-needed visibility for the sport. Delegates believe the event’s global profile could encourage more children and young adults to pursue Yogasana competitively while attracting support from schools, sponsors and sporting institutions.

With youthful populations, growing interest in wellness and increasing investment in sport, many observers see the Middle East as a key region for Yogasana’s future expansion.

While the medals won in Ahmedabad marked important achievements, participants believe the larger legacy of the inaugural championships will be the confidence it has given emerging Yogasana nations to develop talent and compete on the world stage.

If that momentum continues, Ahmedabad may eventually be remembered not only as the venue of the first World Championships, but also as the event that accelerated Yogasana’s rise across the Middle East.

–IANS

sds/bc