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India freediving body gains global recognition with AIDA nod
AIDA India secured unanimous approval for observer status from the sport’s global governing body.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Fri, 27, Mar 2026
- 01:09 EDT
- 15
Archana Sankaranarayanan and AIDA India logo / Freediving Association of India
The Freediving Association of India (AIDA India) has been granted observer status by the global governing body for competitive freediving, marking a key milestone for the sport in the country.
The Association Internationale pour le Développement de l’Apnée, known as AIDA International, approved the newly formed body, enabling it to organize official competitions, build a national structure, and support Indian athletes while paving the way for greater international participation.
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The recognition follows efforts led by AIDA India founder Archana Sankaranarayanan, who has played a central role in establishing the organization.
Sankaranarayanan is also a competitive freediver and has set 11 national records over the past year, emerging as one of India’s leading figures in the sport. In 2025, she became the first Indian brand ambassador for Molchanovs, an international freediving organization.
Freediving is a water sport in which athletes dive underwater on a single breath without using breathing apparatus such as scuba gear.
Reflecting on the journey, Sankaranarayanan said the idea for AIDA India began as a vision two years ago but required navigating significant bureaucratic challenges.
“It’s layers of bureaucracy, red tape, clarifications, re-clarifications, and paperwork that somehow multiplies overnight,” she said. “So instead of waiting for someone else to do it, I thought, how hard could it be? (Spoiler: extremely hard).”
Supported by a G.P. Birla Fellowship, she led the process of drafting foundational documents and securing approvals, ultimately building a nationally recognized body from the ground up.
“Approved by the central government of India and now by AIDA, it came from being deeply immersed in the sport and deciding: If it doesn’t exist, I’ll build it,” she said.
AIDA India received unanimous backing from AIDA International members, securing 25 votes in favor with none opposed or abstaining.
“What you see today is the result of a lot of ‘why is this form asking me the same thing again?’ moments,” Sankaranarayanan said. “There were times this felt impossible. But today, I can finally say AIDA India is here to stay and grow.”
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