Bhubaneswar: Dr Achyuta Samanta, founder of KIIT and KISS, has been unanimously elected as the Chief Patron of the Indian Volleyball Federation (VFI) on the sidelines of the ongoing 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship 2026 being held in Varanasi. The championship was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.
The decision was taken during the Annual General Council meeting of the Indian Volleyball Federation, held in Varanasi, which was attended by presidents, secretaries and office-bearers of volleyball associations from all states across the country.
Although Dr Samanta, who is also the President of the Odisha Volleyball Association, was unable to attend the meeting due to prior professional commitments, the VFI President and General Secretary contacted him over the telephone. Following his consent, the federation formally nominated him as Chief Patron.
The federation cited Dr Samanta’s long-standing and significant contributions to sports, particularly volleyball, as the primary reason for his appointment. He will hold the position of Chief Patron for a period of four years.
During the meeting, the General Council also approved the hosting of the National Youth Volleyball Championship at KIIT, further strengthening Odisha’s role in the promotion of volleyball at the national level.
On the occasion, the VFI also expressed gratitude to the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) for conferring the prestigious Grand Cross Award on Dr Samanta and for appointing him as a member of the FIVB Volleyball Foundation Council. The federation congratulated him for the international recognition.
Responding to his nomination, Dr Samanta conveyed his gratitude to VFI President Virendra Kanwar, General Secretary Ramanand Chaudhury and all members of the Indian Volleyball Federation, and also thanked the Odisha Volleyball Association. He recalled that he had earlier served as President of the Indian Volleyball Federation from 2020 to 2024.
Dr Samanta said the federation’s decision reflects recognition of his sustained efforts towards the development of volleyball. He expressed his commitment to work more vigorously in the coming years for the growth of volleyball in Odisha as well as across the country
