UAE: Asia's finest yogis compete at 6th Asian Yogasana Championship in Fujairah
The 6th Asian Yogasana Championship commenced on 9th August 2025 at the Zayed Sports Complex in Fujairah, UAE, gathering 160 athletes from 16 countries. Organised under the patronage of H.H.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, the championship reflects the UAE's growing prominence as a hub for yoga sport, alongside several key initiatives, trainings, and leadership developments within the Asian Yogasana Sports Federation (AYSF).
A continental showcase of Yogasana excellence
The 6th Asian Yogasana Championship (UAE 2025) is being held over two days at the Zayed Sports Complex, Fujairah. The event is conducted under the aegis of the UAE Ministry of Sports, in partnership with the Asian Yogasana Sports Federation (AYSF), the UAE Sports for All Federation, and the UAE Yoga Committee.
This year's theme,
'Yoga Across Borders'
, underscores the unifying ethos of yoga by bringing together cultures, nations, and communities to celebrate peace, inclusivity, and shared well-being through yogasana sport.
The championship has attracted 160 athletes from 16 nations including India, Syria, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Iraq, Pakstan, Indonesia, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Iran, the Philippines, and others.
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Attending dignitaries included Mohammed Al Dhahouri and Sheikha Al Kaabi (Federal National Council members), Salem Yousef Al Qaseer (President, Emirates Sports for All Federation), and Nouf Marwaai (President, AYSF).
The venue, Zayed Sports Complex, is known for its high-end facilities and has hosted numerous international sporting events, making it a fitting stage for this prestigious championship.
AYSF's expanding footprint and leadership evolution
The Asian Yogasana Sports Federation (AYSF), the governing body for yogasana sport in Asia, was officially established in 2019, following decades of foundational work led by founders Dr.
Gopal Ji and Shri Ramesh Lohan since 1992. Today, AYSF comprises over 15 national yoga federations, including from Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Iran, and Indonesia.
A landmark development occurred in November 2024, when AYSF held its 6th General Assembly in Dubai. During the assembly:
Nouf Al-Marwaai, head of the Saudi Yoga Committee, was elected President of AYSF.
The AYSF international headquarters was officially relocated to the UAE.
The Federation launched its inaugural
Asian Excellence Award Ceremony
during this assembly.
Fifteen national federations participated, reaffirming regional collaboration in yoga sport.
These decisions have strategically positioned the UAE as a key player in the global yogasana movement, fostering partnerships, youth engagement, and intercontinental exchange.
Strengthening the sport: Training and certification initiatives
In line with AYSF's mission to elevate standards and build elite-level capacity across Asia, Africa, and the Arab world, the 2nd AYSF Yogasana Coaches and Referees Training Camp was hosted in Dubai from 16th to 18th May 2025 at the UAE Centre for Sports Sciences and Sports Medicine. The program catered to participants from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Tunisia, Palestine, Syria, and other nations.
The camp offered internationally recognised certification tracks:
Yogasana Coaching Certification: Focused on AYSF's official competitive syllabus, athlete preparation, biomechanics, and safety.
Yogasana Referees Certification: Covered judging protocols, scoring systems, and ethical frameworks in line with AYSF's global standards.
Led by expert trainers from India, the birthplace of yoga, the training ensured rigorous instruction and professional excellence for national-level officiating and coaching.
Recognising excellence and legacy in Yogasana
Parallel to the two-day championship, the Asian Yoga Excellence Awards ceremony is taking place, honouring six prominent individuals from across Asia who have played key roles in advancing yoga within their communities and contributing to global wellness, peace, and cultural preservation.
Nominations closed on 30th May 2025, and recipients are being selected by an international panel of experts to ensure merit-based recognition in fields such as innovation, leadership, youth empowerment, and international cooperation.
AYSF also continues to celebrate its legacy moments. Notably, the first-ever Asian Yogasana Sports Championship was held on 26–27 July 2019 in Dhaka, where Indian athletes won the inaugural trophy with a remarkable haul of 22 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze medals. This milestone event was organised by the Bangladesh Yogasana Association under the authority of the Global Yoga Alliance.
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