History of Gymnastic Federation of India goes back to 1951. This federation is the official body that controls the gymnastic sport in India. It was set up with the primary objective to support, promote, control and popularize the game of gymnastic in India. The federation was granted affiliation to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in the year 1952. As India is second most populated country and 7th largest in area, the the Gymnastics Federation of India is an important Unit of the Federation of International gymnastics (FIG), Commonwealth Gymnastics Confederation (CGC) and Asian Gymnastics Union (AGU). The Federation was registered with the Registrar of Societies Delhi under Societies Registration Act, 1957 in the year 1966.
Gymnastics Federation of India has become an activity federation with the Olympic Movement and has started participant in the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, and the Asian Games and in the recognized International Championship/Cup/Competition in gymnastics. The federation is affiliated unit of the FIG since 1952; GFI is the Founder Member of the CGC and AGU since it came into being. The outstanding track record of this federation with tremendous international organization of gymnastics is a wealth for India. It is also a consistent participant in the championship conducted by them, where Gymnastics are showing their skills and bringing laurels for the country.
Right since its inception, Gymnastics Federation of India, have been working hard to get itself recognized at the world platform. In 1952 itself the federation sent two gymnasts Mr. Khushi Ram and Mr. Veer Singh to represent India in Helsinki Olympic Games. In order to develop the game of gymnast coaches from foreign land were hired. With time, the Gymnastics Federation of India has grown its size and stature as well its actives. In the National Championship in 1952 there was competition for men`s section only and the women version were added in the year 1962 at 8th National Gymnastics championship at Gwalior. So National Competition was held for both the men and women section in the year 1965-66 at Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The National Championship for sub-junior boys and girls was held for the first time in the year 1986 at Karnal.
Keeping pace with FIG, CGC, and AGU, the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) has included Rhythmic Gymnastics in the year 1989 and first National Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship was conducted at Kottayam in 1989. In Rhythmic Gymnastics the sub junior section was incorporated in the year 2007 with 18th National RG Championship at Jodhpur, in the state of Rajasthan. In order to provide further opportunity to young people, mini-II (under 10 year) and Mini-I (under 8 year) were included in 19th National RG Championship at Jodhpur in 2008. The sports aerobics in 1966 also came under the umbrella of Gymnastics Federation of India and organized first National Sports aerobics Gymnastics, Championship at Jalandhar in Punjab, in October 1997 with 39th senior National Championship. Later in 2002, the trampoline and General Gymnastics brought under ambit of the federation as well. The federation also conducted, for the first time, National championship in Acrobatics and Trampoline at Hyderabad in the state of Andhra Pradesh in October 2002, and junior section in Acrobatic included in 5th National Acrobatic and Trampoline Championship held at Thane in 2008 and continued till 2009. Thereafter, till 2010, National Championship in Trampoline was conducted separately. And the 6th National Championship in Trampoline and Tumbling was held at Chandigarh in August 2010.
The federation has also introduced competition for boys under 10 with FX, and TV and girls with FX, BB and under 12 years for boys with all apparatuses only in Artistic Gymnastics at 51st Sub-Junior National Gymnastics Championship at Chennai in December 2010 to tape the hidden talent of gymnastics. Currently, there are around 28 affiliated units with the Gymnastics Federation of India and they consistently participate in National Championships.
