India Celebrates Historic Bronze at AVC Men's Volleyball Cup 2026

The Indian volleyball team has made history by winning the country's first-ever bronze medal at the AVC Men's Volleyball Cup 2026. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya celebrated this achievement, emphasizing the importance of this milestone as a foundation for future successes. The tournament, hosted in India for the first time, showcased the team's resilience and skill, culminating in a victory over Bahrain in the third-place playoff. This achievement not only elevates India's standing in the sport but also inspires young athletes across the nation. With a focus on developing a robust sports ecosystem, the government aims to foster sustained excellence in Indian sports.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 29, 2026, 23:54 IST

Historic Achievement for Indian Volleyball

Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 29: Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, honored the Indian volleyball team for their groundbreaking achievement of winning the nation's first-ever medal at the AVC Men's Volleyball Cup 2026, securing a bronze medal in the process.

During the ceremony, Mandaviya congratulated the athletes, coaching staff, and support teams, emphasizing that this medal marks a significant milestone, yet it should serve as a stepping stone for future accomplishments.

He stated, “With every success comes increased responsibility and expectations. The Government's policies, investments, and efforts are all directed towards enabling our athletes to reach their full potential and excel consistently on the global stage.”

The Union Sports Minister highlighted that achieving a podium finish on home turf signifies the growth of volleyball in India and demonstrates the country's capability to host major international sporting events.

The AVC Men's Volleyball Cup is the premier annual competition for men's volleyball in Asia. The 2026 edition was particularly notable as it was the first time India hosted this tournament, adding a significant chapter to the nation's sports history. The event concluded on Sunday.

The Indian national team, consisting of 14 players and coached by Serbia's Dragan Mihailovic, under the captaincy of Jerome Vinith Charles, met with the Union Sports Minister in Gandhinagar today.

Mandaviya remarked that the Modi Government is committed to developing a strong sports ecosystem through strategic planning, academy growth, talent scouting, enhanced use of sports science, athlete welfare, and increased international exposure.

He reiterated that India's sports vision aims to foster sustained excellence across various disciplines and position the country among the world's top sporting nations.

Expressing optimism about the future of Indian volleyball, Mandaviya noted that the team's success would motivate young athletes nationwide and invigorate the sport's development at all levels.

In a post on X, Mandaviya celebrated the achievements of Indian volleyball, stating, “A proud moment for Indian volleyball! We honored our men's team for making history with India’s first AVC Men's Volleyball Cup Bronze Medal. From successfully hosting the championship for the first time to achieving a historic podium finish and rising to World No. 42, Indian volleyball is making its mark globally.”

The tournament showcased India's impressive performance, as the team remained unbeaten in the pool stage and demonstrated resilience against some of Asia's top teams.

In the third-place playoff, the team triumphed over Bahrain with a score of 3-1, clinching the bronze medal and marking India's best-ever finish in the AVC Men's Volleyball Cup.

Captain Jerome Vinith Charles expressed gratitude for the government's support and dedicated the historic medal to the citizens of India.

“We are immensely thankful for the unwavering support from the Government. The world-class facilities and training environment allowed us to concentrate solely on our performance,” he stated.

“This historic medal is not just ours; it belongs to every Indian who filled the stadium and cheered for us throughout the tournament. Their encouragement fueled our determination to fight for every point,” he added.

Chief Coach Dragan Mihailovic praised the Government's long-term vision for Indian sports and expressed confidence in the country's future on the international stage. “The direction in which Indian sport is heading is very promising. The planning, investment, and athlete support systems already in place and those being developed are precisely what high-performance sports require. If this momentum continues, I am confident India will frequently stand on the podium at major international events,” he remarked.

The bronze medal also earned crucial FIVB World Ranking points, propelling the Indian men's team up 18 spots, from World No. 60 to World No. 42, further solidifying India's position in the global volleyball arena.