India’s Men’s Volleyball team made history by securing their first-ever bronze medal at the Men’s Volleyball Cup. The national team, led by captain Jerome Vinith Charles and coached by Serbia’s Dragan Mihailović, achieved this milestone after an impressive performance on home soil. India’s remarkable journey included remaining unbeaten in the pool stage and defeating Bahrain 3-1 in the bronze-medal playoff.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, commended the team’s achievement during a felicitation ceremony in Gandhinagar. He emphasized the importance of building on this success and highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting athletes to excel on the global stage. Mandaviya also praised the progress of Indian volleyball and the country’s capacity to host major international sporting events.
Captain Jerome Vinith Charles expressed gratitude for the government’s support, attributing the team’s success to the world-class facilities and training environment provided. He dedicated the historic medal to Indian fans whose unwavering support fueled the team’s performance throughout the tournament. Head coach Dragan Mihailović echoed optimism for India’s future in international sports, citing the nation’s positive trajectory and potential for sustained success.
India’s achievement not only secured a podium finish but also propelled the team to No. 42 in the FIVB world rankings, a significant climb from their previous position at No. 60. This success signifies India’s growing prominence in international volleyball, setting a new benchmark for the country’s sporting prowess.
