Page 39 - NIS English 1-15 Feb, 2026

National Volleyball Tournament | SPORTS

Volleyball

A Game of Perfect Balance

Scan the QR code to watch the PM Narendra Modi inaugurates the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament in Varanasi
Prime Minister’s full programme.

The world is discussing India’s growing economy. This progress is not limited to the economic front
but is also reflected in the confidence seen on the sports field. India’s performance in sports has
consistently improved because, for the past decade, the central government has been strengthening
the sports ecosystem at every level. In alignment with this commitment Prime Minister Narendra
Modi inaugurated the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament in Varanasi on January 4th...

he 72nd National Volleyball Tournament was The 2030 Commonwealth Games will be held
Theld in Varanasi from January 4th to 11th, with in India, and the country is making strong
over a thousand players from 58 teams repre- efforts to host the 2036 Olympics, with the
senting 28 states and institutions participating. At
the inauguration ceremony, the prime minister aim of giving more and more players greater
underlined that volleyball is not an ordinary sport, opportunities to compete.
as it is a game of balance and cooperation, where
determination is also reflected in the effort to keep
the ball always lifted. He highlighted that volleyball nificantly increased the sports budget, and today
connects players with team spirit, with every player India’s sports model has become ‘athlete-centric’,
guided by the mantra, ‘Team First’. Each player may with a focus on talent identification, scientific
possess different skills, but all play for the victory of training, nutrition, and transparent selection. He
their team. Drawing a parallel between India’s de- highlighted that the government has undertaken
velopment story and volleyball, PM Modi said that major reforms in the sports sector, including the
no victory is achieved alone; victory depends on National Sports Governance Act and the Khelo
coordination, trust, and the readiness of the team. Bharat Policy 2025. Noting that
He underlined that everyone has their own role and Khelo India and initiatives like
responsibility, and success comes only when every- TOPs are transforming the
one seriously fulfils their duty with seriousness. sports ecosystem in India. n
PM Modi noted that the government has sig-

I see many similarities between India’s development story
and the game of volleyball. Volleyball teaches us that no

victory is achieved alone. Our success depends on our
coordination, trust, and the readiness of the team.

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

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