India’s KISS Volleyball Festival enters Guinness World Records

The volleyball tournament held at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar, India on 4th October 2024, featured over 5,000 players - leading to its entry into the Guinness World Records for the largest volleyball competition.

The tournament was organised in collaboration with KISS,  Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), with the KISS Volleyball Festival marking an historic moment in the world of sports.

Jennifer Larson, U.S. Consul General in Hyderabad; Fabio Azevedo, General Director of FIVB; Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT and KISS; KIIT Vice Chancellor Prof. Saranjit Singh; KISS Vice Chancellor Prof. Deepak Behera; and Dr. Gaganendu Dash, Director General, Sports, KIIT were present on the occasion.

FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça addressed the participants from various states, expressing hope that FIVB's mission of serving the community through volleyball would be realised through the KISS Volleyball Festival. He praised KISS as a rare institution and emphasised that volleyball could promote peace worldwide through the values of non-violence.

The US Counsel General expressed her gratitude, saying they are always there to support such inspiring events.

Dr Samanta, in his address, highlighted that alongside the 5,000 participating athletes, over 40,000 spectators were enjoying the festival. He expressed his gratitude to Dr. Graça, who visited India specifically to inaugurate this volleyball event at KISS.

An MOU was signed during the event between KISS and FIVB to promote the growth of volleyball in Odisha and India. The agreement aims to leverage the volleyball infrastructure at KISS to nurture future players. Additionally, KIIT and KISS announced the launch of the 'Samanta-Graça' scholarship to support 2-3 standout volleyball players from around the world, providing them with the opportunity to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate education at KIIT and KISS.

Image. President of International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Dr. Ary S Graça and US Consul General in Hyderabad Jennifer Larson along with the Founder of KIIT and KISS Dr Achyuta Samanta inaugurating the KISS Volleyball Festival in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 4th October.