The 71st Senior State Volleyball Championship for Men & Women will be held at Multipurpose Indoor Stadium, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, from March 20 to 23, 2025. For the first time, the Senior State Championship will be played on four indoor courts, aligning with volleyball’s status as an indoor sport. Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT & KISS, has assured his full support to ensure the tournament is conducted in a grand and well-organized manner. The opening ceremony will take place on the evening of March 20, while the closing ceremony will be held on March 23. A total of 35 Men’s teams and 25 Women’s teams have confirmed their participation in the championship. In total, 525 male players, 375 female players, and 75 officials will take part in this prestigious event.
Prof. Samanta has played a significant role in the development of volleyball over the past three years. Under his leadership, the state championship was successfully organized in Kandhamal District for two consecutive years. Recognizing his efforts, the members of the Odisha Volleyball Association extend their heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Samanta for his unwavering support in promoting the sport. As a result of his initiatives, Odisha’s volleyball teams have achieved remarkable success.
During his tenure as President of the Volleyball Federation of India, and with his support and guidance, Odisha has produced 12 international players who have represented the Indian Volleyball Team over the past three years. In the 34th Federation Cup 2022, our Men’s team secured the Bronze Medal. In the 71st Senior National Championship 2023, our Women’s team qualified for the Quarterfinals for the first time. In the 36th National Games, our Women’s Beach Volleyball team won the Bronze Medal. His contributions have been instrumental in the growth of volleyball in Odisha, inspiring players and strengthening the state’s presence in national competitions.
Prof. Samanta has played a significant role in establishing Rugby and Chess in the country. As the Founder of KIIT & KISS, he has taken the initiative to develop and promote Volleyball, a widely popular rural sport in Odisha, across all regions of the state. He has also assured his continued support to further strengthen and expand the sport.