Maharashtra Crowned Champion at National Yogasana Sports Championship 2021-22 in Bhubaneswar

Tamilnadu bagged the 2^nd position and West Bengal and Goa emerged 3^rd

Khel Today Bureau

New Delhi: “It is time for Yogasana as a Sport to make a Star entry into Olympics”, said the former National Hockey Team Captain Dilip Tirkey at the closing ceremony of the first-ever physical National Yogasana Sports Championships here in Bhubaneswar. Maharashtra was crowned as overall champion while Tamilnadu bagged the 2^nd position and West Bengal and Goa emerged as 3^rd at India’s first-ever Physical National Yogasana Championships hosted by Odisha-The Sports Capital of India.

Shri Udith Sheth, NYSF President; Dr. Jaideep Aarya, NYSF General Secretary; Shri Sudhanshu Adhikari, Sr. Vice President Yogasana Sports Association of Odisha; Shri Umang Dawn; Dr. Sasmita Samanta (KIIT University), Nitin Beri, COO, Transstadia; and Sanjay Malpani, NYSF were also present at the ceremony.

50 medals were awarded through the championship to young athletes who showcased their Yogasana skills in various competitive events. Trophies were awarded to winners of Sub junior and junior team championships.

Trupti Dongrae of Maharashtra won the title in Sub Junior Girls and Nibodh Patil won the title in Sub Junior Boys category. Swara Gujar from Maharashtra won the title in Junior Girls and Jai Kalekar from Maharashtra won the title in Junior Boys category.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest, Padmashree Dilip Tirkey, Honorable Chairman, Odisha Hockey Promotion Council, said, “Yogasana is deeply embedded in the rich heritage and culture of Odisha. With this cultural legacy I am sure that the state will usher a new era of Yogasana Sports and drive youth to engage successfully with this sport. Yogasana Sports have the potential for becoming a landmark sport in the world and gain popularity and bring global recognition for India, like Hockey. After setting new milestones of success for Indian Hockey and other Indian Sports, I am very confident that Odisha will become the global stage to nurture Yogasana as Competitive Sports.”

“I am delighted, National Yogasana Sports Federation is working tirelessly to support India’s vision to make Yogasana a sport with an Olympic Roadmap.”, he further added.

Udit Sheth, President, NYSF said, “Odisha has been a gracious host for the first ever physical National Yogasana Sports Championship. We are extremely thankful to the Government of Odisha for working with us and supporting the championship. Their support and work towards nurturing sports and athletes is a great service to 

our nation.  At NYSF, we will continue to work dedicatedly to promote Yogasana Sports throughout the country and advocate it on the international platforms as well. We will put in our best efforts to unleash the power of Yogasana Sports.”

Over 560 bright, talented, and young athletes from 30 states competed in a uniquely designed competition organised by the National Yogasana Sports Federation (NYSF) in association with the Government of Odisha.

Dr. Jaideep Arya, Secretary General, NYSF shared, “We are thankful to the young athletes, coaches and teams for their enthusiasm and love for Yogasana sport, because of them this championship has become a landmark event. We are gratified with the way the Government of Odisha has supported the championship and have been the most gracious host. Sports fraternity and the people of India have given us positive feedback and encouraged us to take Yogasana Sports to higher levels.” 

Yogasana sports have been conceptualised and structured with the aim to create a global brand of Yogasana as a Competitive Sport and support India’s vision to make Yogasana a sport with an Olympic Roadmap. The National Yogasana Sports Federation (recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India) is working towards building a strong culture of fitness, competition, well-being, and growth through the practice and development of Yogasana. Yogasana sport for both male and female categories has been included in Khelo India Youth Games, 2021. The Government of India’s recognition makes NYSF eligible for financial assistance for the conduct of national championships in all the categories, viz. Senior, Junior, and Sub-junior and participation in international sporting events.