Overview
- The Prime Minister inaugurated the 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship via video link as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak attended at Sigra Stadium.
- The eight-day event runs January 4–11 with 58 teams and about 1,044 players, marking Varanasi’s first championship of this scale and Uttar Pradesh’s return as host after decades.
- Modi said India is preparing in full strength to bid for the 2036 Olympics and stated that the 2030 Commonwealth Games would be held in India, citing a decade of expanded hosting experience.
- Organisers said International Volleyball Federation observers would attend and that standout performers from the championship would be considered for international representation.
- Local officials highlighted stadium upgrades and said a Sports Authority of India–Uttar Pradesh Sports Department memorandum for a Centre of Excellence at the Sigra complex is planned.