Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) President Fabio Azevedo on Saturday announced that Odisha will host the prestigious FIVB Beach Pro Tour for three consecutive years—2026, 2027 and 2028 in partnership with KIIT and KISS, marking a major boost for international volleyball in the state.
Azevedo said the decision was taken in view of Odisha’s conducive sporting environment and the extensive, world-class infrastructure developed by KIIT & KISS, which he described as ideal for hosting elite international volleyball events. He added that the collaboration reflects FIVB’s broader commitment to inclusive growth and gender equity through sport.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the Volleyball Mahakumbh, a four-day mega event held from December 11 to 14 at the KIIT and KISS campuses. The event was organised as part of KIIT & KISS’s flagship Kanya Kiran initiative, aimed at empowering women and strengthening grassroots sports development.
Jointly organised by KIIT–KISS and FIVB, the Volleyball Mahakumbh brought together players, coaches and experts from India and across the world. The programme featured coach-education workshops, skill-development sessions and discussions on the role of volleyball in education, social transformation and women’s empowerment.
The initiative saw participation from hundreds of women coaches and players and is expected to have a long-term impact on grassroots volleyball development in Odisha and beyond, further reinforcing the state’s growing stature on the global volleyball map.
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