The four-day Volleyball Mahakumbh, organised under the flagship Kanya Kiran initiative of KIIT and KISS, was inaugurated on Saturday with a vibrant ceremony witnessed by nearly 40,000 students. Held from December 11 to 14, the mega event marked a significant step towards women’s empowerment and grassroots sports development in India.

The event was graced by FIVB President Fabio Azevedo, whose presence underscored the global significance of the initiative. Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Azevedo said the programme reflects the FIVB’s commitment to inclusive growth, gender equity and global expansion of volleyball.

In a major announcement, Azevedo revealed that Odisha will host the prestigious FIVB Beach Pro Tour for three consecutive years—2026, 2027 and 2028, in partnership with KIIT and KISS. He said Odisha’s progressive sports ecosystem and the world-class infrastructure developed by KIIT & KISS make the state an ideal destination for international volleyball events.

As part of the Kanya Kiran initiative, a series of specialised workshops were organised for women volleyball coaches from Odisha, other parts of India and abroad. The workshops focused on training and empowering women coaches, who will in turn nurture young talent in their respective regions. Over 500 participants from Odisha and more than 200 coaches, players and experts from India and across the world took part in the programme, which is expected to benefit over 50,000 volleyball players in the long run.

Renowned international coaches John Kessel and Jana Kulan led the intensive training sessions, which included on-court practical coaching, advanced skill development modules, coach-education workshops and public participation programmes. These sessions were conducted across four major indoor courts and over 40 outdoor courts on the KIIT and KISS campuses.

Speaking on the occasion, KIIT and KISS Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta said the collaboration with FIVB has brought world-class volleyball expertise to Odisha. “Through these workshops, thousands of girls and women will get the opportunity to experience the transformative power of volleyball,” he said.

The event also featured special sessions and panel discussions on the role of volleyball in education, social transformation and youth empowerment, grassroots development of the sport, and issues related to women’s empowerment and equality. Eminent speakers included Fabio Azevedo, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Abhijit B., Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, John Kessel and Jana Kulan.

During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between FIVB, KIIT and KISS. Azevedo also inaugurated the FIVB–KIIT/KISS Centre of Excellence and launched a new Sports Zone in the presence of Dr. Samanta, further strengthening Odisha’s position on the global volleyball map.

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