UAE moves to formalise yoga as competitive sport

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is actively moving to formalise yoga, or yogasana, as a competitive sport, elevating it from a wellness and lifestyle practice to a recognised sporting discipline, as reported by The National.

This shift is largely influenced by the nation’s deepening cultural ties with India and the presence of its substantial Indian expatriate community. It aligns with both the UAE’s goal of diversifying its sports portfolio and India’s campaign to take yoga to the global stage.

To achieve this, the UAE is developing a national framework through the UAE Yoga Committee, which operates under the Ministry of Sports.

Key steps include hosting major international events, such as the 6th Asian Yogasana Championship in Fujairah in 2025, to demonstrate the discipline’s competitive potential.

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Furthermore, the committee is working on establishing formal competition rules, training local Emirati referees and coaches, and integrating yoga into the country’s school and youth sports systems.

If successful, the UAE would to become the first Gulf country to grant yoga full sporting recognition, complete with official regulations and national team programmes.