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Indian Olympic Association: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha made a strong pitch for the inclusion of Yoga in the Asian Games programe. In an impassioned letter to Olympic Council of Asia president Raja Randhir Singh, she urged the Asian sports community to include the ancient Indian discipline that foster physical and mental health.

"Yoga as a sport can be a very attractive proposition for broadcasters," she said. "Yoga has been a part of the Khelo India Games. Seeing its success, the National Games organisers in Goa included Yoga, including Mallakhambh and Yogasanas, as part of the programme. I am sure that the Olympic Council of Asia will find good reason to accept my proposal," read a statement released by IOA on Wednesday.

"The world celebrated the 10th International Day of Yoga on June 21, and the response to its universal appeal has been overwhelming," she said. "People across nations have embraced Yoga and drawn benefits."