An inspiring week for the Global Volleyball Movement in India
Photo credit: FIVB
An inspiring week of volleyball at the Brahmaputra Volleyball League (BVL) Season 5 Finals came to a remarkable close on Sunday. Held in Tezpur, Assam, from 24 - 26 January, the finals celebrated the best of grassroots volleyball, bringing local players, coaches, league volunteers and FIVB leadership together in a momentous celebration of collaboration, integration, peace and solidarity.
Founded in 2020 by Abhijit Bhattacharya, the BVL has become a catalyst for change in Assam, one of India’s poorest states, proving that volleyball can have a positive impact far beyond the court. What began with just 50 teams now unites over 10,000 children across the region, and this year’s season saw 401 teams competing in nearly 900 matches. The BVL has been officially recognised as a Silver Level Project by the FIVB Volleyball Foundation, which has pledged support across three areas: coaching, broadcasting and operations.
The league’s innovative broadcasting initiative has helped carry its impact even further. Through a partnership with Sportvot, a start-up providing broadcasting technology, the BVL uses a live-streaming system using just smartphones and minimal equipment. This year, an impressive 72 matches were streamed live during the Finals, culminating a period that has seen nearly 700 broadcasts across 170 villages.
Over 500 individuals have been trained to use the broadcast set-up, gaining not only video production skills but also expertise in storytelling, PowerPoint design and Excel. This inspiring community-driven approach aligns seamlessly with the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, which has the motto “Together as One” at its core.
The finals also drew international volleyball and sport leaders to Assam such as Assam’s Sports Minister Nandita Garlosa, FIVB President Fabio Azevedo, FIVB Volleyball Foundation Executive Director Elizaveta Bracht, Olympic Champion Vladimir Grbić, Thailand’s national volleyball star Nootsara Tomkom and FIVB Volleyball Empowerment and National Federation Relations Head Hitesh Malhotra.
The League’s visionary founder, Abhijit Bhattacharya, spoke of his pride at seeing the community come together, stating; “It was a historic three days at Tezpur, and the people of the town will never forget this amazing experience in their life.” FIVB President Fabio Azevedo praised the immense reach and power of the initiative: “At the heart of the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032 is that every single player, young person, athlete and fan counts. Fans and athletes must always be at the centre of all our actions. That is exactly what I have seen here at the BVL Finals. Volleyball has the power to bring people together and make the world a better place. I have never been more certain of that following everything I have seen and experienced over the past few days.”
The finals coincided with India’s 76th Republic Day on 26 January, which saw a vibrant celebration at the KIIT & KISS Athletic Stadium in Bhubaneswar. FIVB leadership attended the event, joining over 40,000 students, staff, and dignitaries to mark the occasion with a grand parade and cultural performances.
The BVL is a shining example of the widespread impact that volleyball can have as a community-building tool, helping to create a better, more inclusive world through the Global Volleyball Movement.
For more information, visit the below links!
BVL Season 5 Finals: A landmark moment for volleyball in Assam and beyond
FIVB leadership joins Republic Day celebrations in India
Excitement builds ahead of Brahmaputra Volleyball League Season 5 Super League Finals