Bhubaneswar was the host of one of the most international volleyball tournaments in India that attracted the participation of international athletes.
Five days of sunshine, sand and intensely competitive volleyball had it over in the FIVB Beach Pro Tour Challenge 2026 on March 8 at the Dutee Chand Athletic Stadium within the KIIT Deemed to be University campus in Bhubaneswar. It was really something unique that had taken place in that week 83 teams, 52 countries, more than 300 players and officials, all converged at a university campus in eastern India to create a world-class sporting event.
The Finals: Drama on the Sand
The gold medal game between the women of Japan and Reika and Shiba against the Americans Durish and Koenig made it appear that the US duo was playing without much effort. They had an aggressive attack using sharp coordination and swept the Japanese duo in straight sets, 2118 and 2116, according to which they had to take the first place in the podium. Shiba and Reika, the ones who worked their level best during the tournament, were reduced to silver.
It was another type of story in the men's final. Vercauteren and Van Langendonck of Belgium were matched with Czech pair Sepka and Dzavoronok, which was attended by the crowd on its feet, particularly in the second set. The Belgians were technically acute and calm at the beginning and won the first set 2110. The second one was much narrower - it was a tense back and forward match which Belgium eventually won 2220 to claim the gold. The Czechs, who had been making a great appearance in a tournament, were awarded silver.
A Historic Moment for KIIT
This tournament had a certain real meaning in addition to the results. KIIT is also the first Indian university to have hosted an FIVB Beach Pro Tour Challenge event in the history of India - a feat that was not missed by anybody present.
Tourism had already begun on March 4 with the official opening of the tournament by the Minister of Law, Works and Excise of Odisha, Shri Prithiviraj Harichandan, where international delegates and sports officials were present to witness the event.
More Than Just a Tournament
During the closing ceremony, KIIT founder Prof. (Dr.) Achyuta Samanta, also a Board Member of FIVB Strategic Council, and Chief Patron of the Volleyball Federation of India, took a bit of time to consider what the university had yanked away. He said that the venue of the 300 players and officials was the KIIT Campus. We had a very good arrangement of their accommodation in the campus. They were all satisfied with the hospitality of KIIT.
Congratulatory messages were sent by Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, and Union Sports Minister Shri Mansukh Laxmanbhai Mandaviya in a video message congratulating the organizers as well as the athletes, who made the event successful.
Referees and tournament officials also received the ceremony reward in terms of their behind-the-scenes contribution. This was concluded with the address by the KIIT Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Saranjit Singh in which he acknowledged all those who have contributed to the week to make it a reality be it international teams or local volunteers.
Players Were Impressed
The response to participants was very positive. Sportspersons and administrators had glorifying remarks about the sports infrastructure at KIIT, professionalism of the organization and the hospitality that was given to them during their stay in KIIT. Some of them said that the accommodation, meals and the general environment provided them with all they required to perform optimally.
With the last applause, when the nets were lowered, Bhubaneswar had left its mark in the international volleyball calendar. To KIIT University, it was a moment to make a statement - the evidence that world-class sport does not always occur in the more traditional locations.
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