KIIT & KISS founder Achyuta Samanta appointed patron of VFI
Bhubaneswar: Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) founder Achyuta Samanta has been appointed as the patron of the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI).
The presidents, secretaries and other members of the volleyball associations of each state attended the Annual General Body Meeting of the VFI at Varanasi.
Achyuta Samanta, who is also the president of Odisha Volleyball Association (OVA), and Gaganendu Das, the Director General Sports & Yoga of KIIT and KISS, who is also the secretary of OVA were slated to take part in the meeting. But due to unavoidable situation they could not be part of the meeting.
However, VFI president Virender Kanwar and general secretary Ramanand Choudhary contacted Samanta over the telephone and after his consent; Samanta was selected as the patron of VFI.
Samanta was selected for the prestigious post for his extensive contribution to the field of sports, especially in the field of volleyball. He will be the patron of VFI for the next four years.
During the meeting, it was decided to organize the National Youth Volleyball Championship in KIIT University.
On this occasion, the VFI thanked and congratulated Samanta for being awarded the Grand Cross by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and for becoming a member of the FIVB Volleyball Foundation Council.
Samanta previously served as the president of the Volleyball Association of India from 2020 to 2024. Since he has been working towards the development of volleyball for a long time, the VFI has chosen him as the chief patron of VFI in recognition of his work.
For his new assignment, Samanta expressed his gratitude to the VFI president and general secretary and all the members of VFI and also thanked the Odisha Volleyball Association. “Honoured to accept the role of Patron of the Volleyball Federation of India. Grateful to the President, General Secretary, VFI members & the Odisha Volleyball Association for their trust. Volleyball has been close to my heart, with focus on strengthening it at the grassroots,” Samanta said.
“Grateful for VFI’s encouragement, including their kind words on the association with the FIVB & the Grand Cross Award. The commitment continues to promote volleyball across Odisha and India and support young players so Indian volleyball moves forward with confidence and purpose,” he added.
