Odisha Shines at the 26th Youth National Volleyball Championship: A Historic Achievement!

Historic Championship Concludes in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The 26th Youth National Volleyball Championship for both men and women wrapped up today at the Biju Patnaik Multipurpose Indoor Stadium, hosted by KIIT Deemed to be University. This year's event showcased remarkable talent from teams nationwide, with Odisha standing out for its unprecedented achievements in the history of National Volleyball Championships.

Both the men's and women's teams from Odisha made history by reaching the semifinals for the first time. The Odisha men's team capped off their impressive journey by clinching the bronze medal after defeating Delhi in the third-place match, marking a significant milestone for the state.

The Odisha women's team also showcased their skills, finishing in the top four after a competitive campaign, ultimately securing fourth place following a match against Haryana. In the women's final, Kerala dominated Tamil Nadu, winning decisively with set scores of 25–16, 25–19, and 25–14 to claim the championship title. The men's final was a nail-biter, with Punjab overcoming a two-set deficit to triumph over SAI, winning 3–2 with scores of 21–25, 21–25, 25–15, 25–22, and 15–13.

To honor the outstanding performances, prize money was awarded: Rs 30,000 for the champions, Rs 20,000 for the runners-up, and Rs 15,000 for the third-place team. Additionally, a special cash prize of Rs 75,000 was awarded to the Odisha men's team and Rs 50,000 to the women's team in recognition of their historic achievements. Prof. Samanta congratulated both teams for their contributions to the state's pride and wished them success in future endeavors. The closing ceremony was attended by esteemed dignitaries, officials, and sports fans.