The 71st Senior State Volleyball (Men & Women) Championship 2024-25 was inaugurated today at the Biju Patnaik Multipurpose Indoor Stadium, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar. Organized by KIIT Deemed to be University in collaboration with the Odisha Volleyball Association (OVA), this prestigious championship is set to witness participation from over 1,000 players across Odisha, making it one of the most significant sporting events in the state.
The grand Opening Ceremony was graced by an array of esteemed dignitaries. Shri Suresh Kumar Routray, Former Cabinet Minister, Govt. of Odisha & President, Bhubaneswar Athletic Association, attended as the Chief Guest, while Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT, KISS & KIMS and President, Odisha Volleyball Association, presided over the event. Among the other guests were Prof. Debashis Bandyopadhyay, Vice Chancellor – KISS Deemed to be University, Shri Gaganendu Dash, Honorary General Secretary, OVA, Shri Rabindra Kumar Das, Vice President, OVA, Syed Akmal Ali, Vice President, OVA, Shri Sanjay Kumar Das, Former Working President, OVA, Shri Dola Gobinda Dash, General Secretary, Jagatsinghpur Athletic Association and Sri Radha Kanta Mohapatra. Vice President, Bhubaneswar Athletic Association alongside other distinguished guests and sports officials.
In his welcome address, Dr. Gaganendu Dash, Honorary General Secretary of OVA, expressed his excitement about hosting the tournament at an indoor stadium for the first time, highlighting the significance of the event in promoting volleyball in Odisha and expressed his gratitude to Prof. Achyuta Samanta Hon’ble Founder KIIT, KISS & KIMS .The championship aims to nurture young sporting talents and elevate the standard of volleyball in the state.
Following the welcome address, Syed Akmal Ali, Vice President, OVA, delivered an inspiring speech, emphasizing the growth of volleyball in Odisha and the role of such championships in providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills. He praised the efforts of KIIT and OVA in organizing the event and encouraged players to compete with passion, discipline, and sportsmanship.
Shri Suresh Kumar Routray, in his address, applauded the efforts of KIIT and Prof. Achyuta Samanta Founder KIIT,KISS & KIMS and OVA in promoting volleyball and providing a world-class sporting infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of sports in shaping youth and fostering discipline, teamwork, and perseverance.
The Presidential Address was delivered by Prof. Achyuta Samanta, who reaffirmed KIIT’s commitment to supporting sports and young athletes. He encouraged the players to showcase their best performance, upholding the true spirit of sportsmanship. The much-awaited moment arrived when Prof. Achyuta Samanta officially declared the championship open, marking the beginning of an exhilarating competition.
To further encourage and support the volleyball community, volleyball equipment, including balls, nets, and T-shirts, was distributed to 55 participating districts/Units.
The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks delivered by Shri Rabindra Kumar Das, Vice President of OVA, who expressed gratitude to all the dignitaries, organizers, and participants for their contribution to making the event a grand success.
With an electrifying atmosphere and an impressive lineup of teams, the 71st Senior State Volleyball Championship 2024-25 promises to be a landmark event in Odisha’s sporting calendar, celebrating the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and excellence in volleyball.
Opening Day Result
1st Match (Men) : KIIT University Vs Puri
KIIT Won the match by 2:0 Set and Mr. Raj Kindo from Puri Team got the best player in the 1st match.
2nd Match (Men) : Keonjhar Vs Balasore
Keonjhar Won the match by 2:0 set and Mr. Pritam Rout from Balasore Team got the best player in the 2nd match.