Unable to follow up on their plans, the Sports Ministry has reversed its decision of recognising yoga as a sport.
In September 2015, the Narendra Modi government placed yoga on the "priority" sports category alongside football, swimming and chess, among others. The Sports Ministry was even contemplating to include different age-group yoga competitions in the National Games apart from recognising the Yoga Federation of India. After 14 months, the ministry issued a communique rolling back the decision.
But it proved to be a short-lived joy for yoga practitioners as it means that yoga can't be termed as a sport anymore.
This decision was made after a review meeting.
A letter from the ministry to the Indian Olympic Association and all recognised national sports federations said:
It was brought to the notice of the department (of sports) that it may not be feasible to hold competitions in yoga. After elaborate discussion, it was concluded that yoga has various dimensions/arms, in which competitions are not possible. Hence, it was agreed that yoga cannot be termed as a sport.
The decision to make it a sport was speedy and circumvented certain guidelines. In elevating it to the "priority" category, an exception was made to the rule that for inclusion, a sport should be part of the Olympics or the Asian or Commonwealth Games, and that the country should be competitive globally in it.
The proposal to recognise yoga as a sport had come from the department of personnel and training, which is under the PMO. Prime Minister Modi has been a strong proponent of yoga. 21 June was declared as International Yoga Day by the United Nations in December 2014 on Modi's suggestion.
(Source: The Telegraph)
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