NE SPORTS BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JAN 4
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, via video conferencing, marking a significant milestone in India’s sporting calendar. Welcoming players from across the country, Modi expressed pride that teams from 28 states have assembled in Varanasi, presenting a vibrant picture of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.
He noted that reaching a national championship demands relentless effort and discipline, and said the courts of Varanasi will now test the grit, teamwork, and determination of India’s finest volleyball talent. Extending best wishes to all participants, he underlined that the city’s deep-rooted sporting culture will energise both players and spectators.
- 72nd National Volleyball Tournament launched in Varanasi, Uniting 28 States
- ‘No Victory Is Won Alone’: Volleyball Reflects India’s collective development journey
- Post-2014 sports push fuels Gen-Z success and athlete-centric reforms
- India Prepares for 2030 Commonwealth Games, Eyes 2036 Olympics
- Varanasi Emerges as a New Powerhouse on India’s Sporting Map
Varanasi: Tradition, Sport and Sporting Spirit
Drawing from local wisdom, Modi observed that those who arrive in Varanasi do not merely play here but experience the city itself. He described Varanasi as a land of sports lovers, where wrestling, boxing, kabaddi, boat races and traditional akharas thrive. He recalled that institutions such as Banaras Hindu University, UP College and Kashi Vidyapeeth have consistently produced state- and national-level athletes.
He added that for thousands of years, Varanasi has welcomed seekers of knowledge, art and excellence, and expressed confidence that the National Volleyball Tournament will be played amid enthusiastic crowds and the city’s renowned hospitality.
Volleyball and India’s Growth: A Shared Philosophy
Calling volleyball a sport of balance, cooperation and resolve, Modi said the game constantly reminds players to keep the ball—and morale—aloft. He stressed that volleyball instils the principle of Team First, where individual skill finds meaning only in collective success.
“There are many parallels between India’s development story and the game of volleyball. Volleyball teaches us that no victory is ever achieved alone. Our success depends on our coordination, our trust, and the readiness of our team,” he said.
He added, “Everyone has their own role, their own responsibility, and we succeed only when each person fulfills their responsibility with seriousness. Our nation too is progressing in the very same way.”
From cleanliness drives to digital payments, from environmental initiatives to the vision of a developed India, he said national progress is powered by collective consciousness and the spirit of India First.
India’s Sporting Confidence on the Rise
Pointing to global recognition of India’s economic growth, Modi said the same confidence is now visible on the sports field. He noted that since 2014, India’s performance across multiple sports has steadily improved, and said the nation feels immense pride when Gen-Z athletes hoist the tricolour in international arenas.
He recalled a time when sports careers were uncertain due to societal and institutional indifference. Over the past decade, he said, that mindset has changed decisively. Sports budgets have increased, governance has improved, and India’s sports ecosystem has become athlete-centric, focusing on talent identification, scientific training, nutrition and transparent selection.
Reforms, Global Events and the Olympic Dream
“Today the nation is riding on the Reform Express, and sports is firmly on that track,” Modi said, highlighting reforms such as the National Sports Governance Act and Khelo Bharat Policy 2025, aimed at transparency, opportunity and balanced growth in sports and education.
He noted that initiatives like TOPS are transforming athlete support systems, while India has successfully hosted over 20 major international sporting events in the past decade, including the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, Hockey World Cup and global chess tournaments.
“The 2030 Commonwealth Games will be held in India, and the nation is making strong efforts to host the 2036 Olympics as well, so that our players get more global opportunities,” he said.
Youth Power and Varanasi’s Sporting Transformation
At the grassroots level, Modi said the Khelo India campaign has enabled hundreds of young athletes to reach national platforms. He cited the recent Sansad Khel Mahotsav, where nearly one crore youth participated nationwide, including around three lakh young athletes from Varanasi alone.
He added that Varanasi is witnessing rapid development in sports infrastructure, with modern stadiums and new sports complexes benefiting athletes from surrounding districts. The Sigra Stadium, the tournament venue, is now equipped with modern facilities and amenities.
A City Ready for the Big Stage
Modi said hosting the National Volleyball Tournament further cements Varanasi’s place on India’s sporting map. He recalled that the city has successfully hosted G-20 meetings, cultural festivals such as Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Kashi Telugu Sangamam, the Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan, and its recognition as the cultural capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Calling the championship another jewel in the city’s crown, he said such events are positioning Varanasi as a major destination for national and global platforms.
Concluding his address, Modi encouraged players to perform with passion and discipline. He expressed hope that every spike, block and point from the soil of Varanasi will lift India’s sporting ambitions, and once again extended his best wishes to all participants.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was present at the event along with other dignitaries.
