In a groundbreaking move to foster global sports development and educational opportunities, the FIVB Volleyball Foundation has joined forces with the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) and the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT).
The partnership aims to encourage youth participation in volleyball, create pathways for future development in the sport, and provide talented athletes with opportunities to pursue higher education.
Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the FIVB Volleyball Foundation, KIIT, and KISS will collaborate on a range of initiatives, including:
- Promoting youth participation in volleyball
- Creating development pathways for coaches, referees, and athletes
- Establishing KISS as a knowledge hub for volleyball training and education
- Creating a training hub for youth volleyball national teams
- Developing volleyball infrastructure on the KISS campus
- Providing materials and equipment to KISS from the FIVB
- Offering academic scholarships to former volleyball athletes
A key highlight of the partnership is the launch of the “Dr Ary Graça – Dr Samanta Scholarship.” This initiative will provide one or two volleyball athletes full sponsorship to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The scholarship is designed to offer post-career educational opportunities for volleyball and beach volleyball players, covering essential costs such as lodging, boarding, and tuition fees.
The recent KISS Volleyball Festival in India not only celebrated the sport but also achieved a remarkable feat. With over 40,000 participants and 5,000 players (including 3,000 from KISS), the festival set a new Guinness World Record for “The Most Players in a Volleyball Exhibition Match.” An incredible 430 participants played continuously for 8 hours, showcasing their passion and dedication to the sport.
FIVB Volleyball Foundation President Dr Ary S. Graça F° expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, “Since our launch earlier this year, KIIT, KISS, and Dr Samanta have been committed supporters of the FIVB Volleyball Foundation, and their belief in our mission has been invaluable. This MoU, the first ever in the history of the Volleyball Foundation, marks a pivotal moment, reinforcing our shared goal of creating life-changing opportunities through volleyball. Together, we are building a future where young people from all walks of life can benefit from the power of our sport.”
The partnership between the FIVB Volleyball Foundation, KIIT, and KISS is expected to have a significant positive impact on the development of volleyball in India and worldwide.
About the Partners:
FIVB Volleyball Foundation: A global initiative dedicated to harnessing the power of volleyball to create a positive social impact.
Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS): A renowned educational institution in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, providing free education, accommodation, and healthcare to thousands of underprivileged students.
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT): A comprehensive private university offering various undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs.
This collaboration marks a significant step towards promoting sports and education globally, providing young athletes the opportunity to excel both on and off the court.
