NEW DELHI: ‘Yoga’ is to be recognized as a sports discipline and placed in the ‘Priority’ category of sports recognized by the Sports Ministry.

Similarly, based on the past performance in major international events, it has been decided to upgrade the sport of Fencing from ‘Others’ to ‘General’ category; and place ‘University Sports’ in the ‘Priority’ category. 

Sports disciplines included in the multi-discipline mega events like Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games etc and which have obtained a ranking upto 8th in individual events and upto 10th in team events in Olympics/Asian Games/CWG or their respective Asian and World Championships will be placed in ‘General’ category.

The Sports Ministry said the categorisation of various Sports disciplines was reviewed and the revised categories of sports disciplines and the scale of financial assistance admissible to each category was conveyed to the Indian Olympic Committee and all recognised National Sports Federations on 23 March, 2015. It was also conveyed that ‘General’ category of sports disciplines will be retained. Criteria for inclusion in this category and financial assistance to be provided will be separately issued. The financial assistance for this category is: 

i) National Championships are to be funded. 

ii) One international event in India in a year can be funded. 

iii) Maximum of one foreign exposure each in Senior and Junior categories can also be funded during a year.