Bhubaneswar: In a big increase to Indian volleyball, the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) on Saturday introduced that the distinguished FIVB Beach Pro Tour will likely be hosted in Odisha for 3 consecutive years—2026, 2027 and 2028—in partnership with KIIT and KISS, two main universities in Odisha.
The announcement was made by FIVB president Fabio Azevedo on the sidelines of the ‘Volleyball Mahakumbh’, a four-day mega occasion held on the KIIT and KISS campuses from December 11 to 14. The occasion, inaugurated within the presence of almost 40,000 college students, was organised collectively by KIIT–KISS and FIVB with a concentrate on ladies’s empowerment and grassroots growth of volleyball below the Kanya Kiran Initiative.
Addressing a press convention right here, Azevedo stated Odisha’s sporting ecosystem, coupled with the intensive infrastructure at KIIT and KISS, made the state a perfect vacation spot for internet hosting world volleyball occasions. “This initiative is designed to empower ladies and strengthen volleyball on the grassroots degree,” he stated.
As a part of the programme, specialised workshops for girls volleyball coaches from Odisha, throughout India and overseas have been carried out over a number of days. More than 500 members from Odisha and over 200 worldwide and nationwide coaches, gamers and consultants took half. The educated coaches are anticipated to succeed in and mentor over 50,000 volleyball gamers of their respective areas.
The coaching classes have been led by internationally acclaimed coaches John Kessel and Jana Kulan, that includes superior ability growth, on-court demonstrations, coach training modules and group participation programmes throughout 4 indoor and over 40 outside courts.
KIIT and KISS Founder Dr Achyuta Samanta stated the collaboration with FIVB has introduced world-class volleyball experience to Odisha. “Through these initiatives, 1000’s of women and girls will get alternatives to expertise the transformative energy of sports activities,” he stated.
The occasion additionally featured panel discussions on sports activities in training, social transformation, youth engagement and gender equality, with audio system together with Fabio Azevedo, Dr. Samanta, Abhinav Bindra, Abhijit B, John Kessel and Jana Kulan.
During the programme, an MoU was signed between FIVB, KIIT and KISS, and the FIVB–KIIT–KISS Centre of Excellence was formally inaugurated, alongside the launch of a brand new Sports Zone on campus.
