Under the slogan “Asian Roots, Global Harmony,” the UAE Sports Ministry hosted the 6th General Assembly of the Asian Yogasana Sports Federation (AYSF) and the inaugural Yoga Excellence Awards Ceremony. This significant event brought together presidents of national yoga federations from 15 countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Palestine, Iran, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, and the Philippines. The UAE Yoga Committee, under the UAE Sports for All Federation, played a vital role in organizing the event, which was held at the premises of the UAE Sports Ministry.

The General Assembly concluded with the election of Ms. Nouf Al-marwaai, president of the Saudi Yoga Committee and Padma Shri awardee, as the new president of the Asian Yogasana Sports Federation. The assembly also featured the first edition of the Asian Excellence Award Ceremony.

Al-Marwaai, who is also president of the Saudi Yoga Committee, was appointed unanimously during the Asian federation’s sixth general assembly meeting, held in Dubai.

The event aimed to strengthen the recognition of Yogasana as an emerging sport, following its approval by the Olympic Council of Asia. The assembly underscored the importance of connecting Yogasana with its traditional roots, as highlighted by expert speakers and AYSF board members. The meeting was complemented by a professional training program that included courses for Yogasana coaches and referees. This training attracted 36 Arab yoga teachers who promptly registered and traveled to Dubai, underscoring the enthusiasm for fostering the art of Yogasana across West and East Asia. Four professional trainers from India were specially invited by AYSF to conduct the training.

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Ms. Nouf Al-Marwaai, newly elected president of AYSF and coordinator of the event, emphasized the importance of supporting GCC and Arab countries in establishing yoga federations. She stated, “We need to always remember that Yogasana comes from yoga, and the essence of yoga should be preserved and cherished. The ancient Indian heritage offers immense value to people and societies, whether practiced for health and well-being, as a spiritual practice, sport, or therapy. Our mission at AYSF is to preserve, promote, and support the growth and development of yoga globally.” Ms. Almarwaai expressed her gratitude to the UAE Sports Ministry and the UAE Yoga Committee under the Sports for All Federation for their unwavering support in hosting AYSF activities and the General Assembly. She added, “More developments for yoga are on the way, inshallah.”

Mr. Ahmad Ibrahim, president of the UAE Yoga Committee and newly appointed vice president for West Asia, highlighted the importance of the event for the entire region. He stated, “In Dubai, we have supported and nurtured yoga’s growth for decades. We recently set a Guinness World Record during the International Day of Yoga by hosting a class with participants from 144 nationalities. We are honored to host this assembly of the Asian Yogasana Federation and its distinguished member countries and are committed to advancing yoga in Asia.”

Former president of AYSF and one of the founding members, Mr. Ramesh Lohan, said, “Thanks to the UAE authorities for the unwavering support of yoga and AYSF. It’s a big day for yoga and Yogasana that we are here in Dubai with 13 other countries’ federations for Asian Yoga. Thanks to UAE Sports for All Federation, Mr. Saeed Alajel, and UAE Yoga Committee president, Mr. Ahmad Ibrahim, for making this a reality. Yoga unites, and we are here united in Dubai over yoga.”

The assembly and associated activities marked a significant step forward in uniting Asian countries through the shared heritage and practice of yoga, setting the stage for further global recognition and development of Yogasana.

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