Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament on January 4 through video conferencing. The event, set to take place at Dr Sampoornanand Sports Stadium, Varanasi, is a significant step for Indian sports and the city’s sporting ambitions under the ‘Khelo India’ initiative.
The tournament, scheduled from January 4 to 11, will witness over 1,000 players from across the country competing. With 73 men’s and women’s teams participating, the championship promises intense competition and a showcase of talent in Indian volleyball.
The decision to host this prestigious tournament in Varanasi highlights efforts to enhance sports infrastructure in the region. It also marks the first time Purvanchal will host a national-level volleyball championship, boosting Kashi’s reputation as a hub for major sporting and cultural events.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be present at the venue to support and engage with the players during the tournament. The organising committee, led by Varanasi Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak, met the Prime Minister in New Delhi to extend a formal invitation, with Modi expressing his encouragement for the nation’s youth through this platform.
The tournament will feature mascots ‘Nandu’ and ‘Neera’, reflecting regional culture. Anti-doping tests will be conducted to ensure fairness, aiming to raise the standard of volleyball in the country and leave a lasting impact on sports development in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
