Udit Sheth, President of Yogasana Bharat and Vice President of World Yogasana, envisions transforming Yogasana into a globally recognized sport beyond mere competition. With a focus on institutional backing, commercial sustainability, and international participation, Sheth sees an opportunity to elevate Yogasana from India’s cultural heritage to a modern global sport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Sports Authority of India have played pivotal roles in shaping Yogasana’s growth trajectory, emphasizing the need for a strong federation structure and world-class presentation.
Central to Yogasana’s evolution is the shift from a cultural or wellness perspective to a competitive sport, facilitated by government support programs like ACTC and championship backing. Sheth emphasizes the importance of coordination among sporting, educational, and diplomatic entities to build a sustainable global ecosystem for Yogasana’s future. Drawing from his experience in sports infrastructure, Sheth stresses the significance of execution in ensuring the sport’s long-term success and commercial viability.
While Yogasana has witnessed increased participation, the focus now turns to enhancing its commercial appeal and global viewership through effective storytelling and engaging presentation. Sheth underscores the need for creating heroes, narratives, and fan engagement within Yogasana to captivate audiences worldwide. By investing in showcasing the sport and differentiating it from traditional yoga, Yogasana aims to establish itself as a structured competitive sport with defined judging criteria and event formats.
Yogasana Bharat’s efforts include leveraging technology and innovative broadcasting methods to make competitions more accessible and enjoyable for diverse audiences. Sheth highlights the crucial role of commentary and broadcast enhancements like AR and VR in educating and entertaining viewers. Looking ahead, Sheth envisions integrating Yogasana into educational and sporting systems globally, emphasizing partnerships with governments, educational institutions, and sporting bodies to establish coaching structures and academies worldwide.
