As the world celebrated International Yoga Day, India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the establishment of a formal “Yoga protocol (standards)” for the promotion of yoga in the country.
The formal Yoga standards and courses will be in accordance keeping in view the local sensitivities, culture, and customs of the region.
Nouf Marwaai will be heading the body who in 2018, became the first Saudi Yogacharya and was honoured with India’s fourth-highest civilian award the Padma Shri for her role in the popularisation of yoga.
The practice of Yoga has now been formally recognised in Saudi Arabia as an important sports activity by Saudi Arabia’s ministry of sports but Yoga has been allowed in the country since November 2017.
The MoU was signed between India’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr Ausaf Sayeed and Abdullah Faisal Hammad, Director General, Leaders Development Institute, Ministry of Sports.
Yoga standards to be practiced in Saudi Arabia are in the advanced stages and an announcement is in the offing with experts and the Saudi ministry of sport drafting the standards-compliant with local laws and norms.
Under the standards, formal certification will be issued to Yoga trainers with exams, and the process of evaluation. The MoU also facilitates collaboration in research, education, and training in the field of Yoga.
The MoU for Yoga cooperation is between Leaders Development Institute, the Saudi ministry of sports, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga is the nodal body for planning, training, and promotion of Yoga in India.
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