FIVB signs MoU with Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences to bring volleyball to children in India and South Asia

The FIVB has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), the largest residential school and university for indigenous children in India, to contribute to the growth and development of youth volleyball in India and South Asia.

The MoU was signed by FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° and KISS Founder Prof (Dr) Achyuta Samanta at the FIVB Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The MoU will see the integration of volleyball and beach volleyball into KISS’s activities, while both parties will also explore joint approaches to new sponsors and the activation of an enhanced Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) relationship with existing sponsors. KISS will become a knowledge hub for volleyball training and other educational opportunities related to the sport, in addition to further promoting volleyball in India. KISS will also act as a training camp hub for youth volleyball national teams while providing training and general educational programmes for those athletes.

Additionally, KISS will support the FIVB in its social projects, while promoting the practice of volleyball and beach volleyball in its schools. This will include the running of “Volleyball for All” clinics within its campus and encouraging women’s participation in the sport. Over 20 volleyball courts will be developed on the KISS campus with the FIVB supporting KISS with materials and equipment. Academic scholarships and free tuition will also be available to former volleyball athletes.

FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° said:

“The FIVB is delighted to join forces with KISS to further promote volleyball and beach volleyball in India and South Asia. Our sport brings different communities together through shared values and I look forward to seeing the positive impact of our programmes for children in the region.”

KISS Founder Prof (Dr) Achyuta Samanta said:

“At KISS, we are happy to work with the FIVB and bring volleyball and beach volleyball to our campus with 30,000 residential students and 10,000 studying in satellite campuses. We believe that sport is the perfect tool to help the development of tens of thousands of children every year in India and South Asia.”

The FIVB is the global governing body of volleyball and beach volleyball, and this MoU showcases its commitment to the development of the sport at the grassroots level, as well as increasing its social relevance around the world. Meanwhile, KISS, has successfully used sport to empower local communities and provide opportunities for growth and learning among children while helping to produce the highest number of Olympians in Indian sport. KISS has signed similar MoUs with a number of International Federations as it aims to develop sport in the country and region.