Over 40,000 children participate in KISS Volleyball Foundation Festival in India

The Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Volleyball Foundation Festival was recently held with great success, drawing over 40,000 children, including 5000 players, to celebrate volleyball in Bhubaneswar, India.

The festival was powered by the FIVB Volleyball Foundation, which launched earlier this year and aims to connect, serve and inspire global communities through volleyball to improve society.

The event took place at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and KISS Athletic Stadium, featuring 60 outdoor courts that hosted fun-filled volleyball activities for the children. Up to 480 participants played simultaneously on these courts. In addition to the outdoor courts, volleyball activities took place across multiple venues on the KIIT campus, including indoor halls and a multi-purpose gymnasium.

The FIVB Volleyball Foundation, which was launched earlier this year, aims to connect, serve, and inspire communities worldwide through volleyball, using the sport as a means to uplift society. This mission was brought to life at the festival, where thousands of children in India had the chance to get active and enjoy volleyball.

Among the festival’s attendees were four champion teams from the fourth season of the Brahmaputra Volleyball League (BVL), a project supported by the Volleyball Foundation. The BVL involves over 10,000 children across 158 remote villages in Assam, one of India’s most underdeveloped regions, who participate in a community-run volleyball league. For the BVL players, the festival marked a historic milestone, as it was their first time traveling by plane.

KIIT & KISS Founder Dr Achyuta Samanta and Volleyball Foundation and FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° attended the event, alongside other distinguished guests.  

During the opening ceremony, the Volleyball Foundation and FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° said:

“This is what the Volleyball Foundation is here for: to give the opportunity to everyone to access sport, no matter their gender, age, background or position. Where people can experience the joy of volleyball and learn the important skills that will serve them throughout their lives. We demonstrate how volleyball can transform communities around the world, open new doors, challenge social divisions, and promote wellbeing and healthier lifestyles! We give people hope!”

KIIT & KISS Founder Dr Achyuta Samanta commented:

“It is a tremendous honour to partner with the FIVB Volleyball Foundation to host this KISS Volleyball Foundation Festival, marking the first large-scale event of its kind on our campus. When I founded KISS and KIIT, my vision was to create opportunities and inspire hope through education and sport. I am proud to see that vision taking shape, as we build the necessary infrastructure and achieve remarkable milestones. Fifteen KIIT students participated in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and two competed at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 – the highest number among all universities in the country! Events like this festival highlight the transformative power of sport and I look forward to many more years of collaboration with the Volleyball Foundation.”

The festival also saw cultural performances that showcased the rich heritage of KISS and the Indian state of Odisha. In preparation for the festival, KISS secured 1,000 volleyballs branded with the Volleyball Foundation, as well as KIIT and KISS, for the children to use.

A key highlight of the event was the festival’s ambitious attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the ‘Most Players in an Indoor Volleyball Exhibition Match (500 players)’.