Abhijit Bhattacharya's Green Initiative Following IOC Award
A Commitment to Nature and Sports
Abhijit Bhattacharya with IOC president Kirsty Coventry
Guwahati, July 23: Abhijit Bhattacharya, the former captain of the Indian volleyball team and the visionary behind the Brahmaputra Volleyball League (BVL), has announced an ambitious plan to plant a tree for each country and sport recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This initiative follows his receipt of the IOC Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Global Winner Award at the International Working Group (IWG) Global Summit on Women and Sport, which took place in Birmingham.
During the summit, held from July 9 to 11, Abhijit was honored by IOC president Kirsty Coventry.
In his reflections on this prestigious recognition, Abhijit expressed his desire to create a living tribute that embodies the spirit of sportsmanship.
“I am committed to planting a tree in honor of every IOC-affiliated country and sport. Each tree will represent a unique species, symbolizing the unity found in diversity and serving as a living testament to the values that sports promote globally,” he stated.
He further elaborated that this initiative could evolve into a broader project if the government provides land.
“Our vision extends beyond mere tree planting; we aim to establish a Global Village, contingent on receiving land from the government. Each tree will narrate the story of its respective country, and the village will be self-sustaining, focusing on volleyball and other sports. It will celebrate the essence of unity in diversity,” he added.
Abhijit expressed gratitude to the IOC for the honor and to the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) for nominating him for this esteemed award. He described his 20-minute personal meeting with Coventry as one of the highlights of his life.
“We discussed the Brahmaputra Volleyball League, the empowerment of women in sports, and how community-driven sports initiatives can foster significant social change. I left the meeting feeling profoundly inspired,” he concluded.