The Founder of KIIT and KISS, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, has been awarded the Grand Cross Award, the highest honour from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). The recognition was given for his admirable efforts in promoting and developing sports, with a focus on volleyball. The prestigious award was presented to him by FIVB President Dr. Ary Graca at the 39th FIVB World Congress in Portugal, attended by representatives from 222 countries.
International Volleyball Federation Honors Dr. Achyuta Samanta with Prestigious Award
Background
The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), the international governing body for volleyball, recently bestowed its highest honor, the Grand Cross Award, upon Dr. Achyuta Samanta, the founder of KIIT and KISS (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences). This accolade recognizes Dr. Samanta's unwavering commitment to promoting and developing sports, particularly volleyball.
Recognition for Extraordinary Efforts
Dr. Samanta's passion for volleyball is evident in his tireless efforts to create opportunities for young athletes and develop the sport in India. He established the KIIT and KISS Volleyball Academies, which have produced several national and international players. Under his leadership, KIIT University has hosted prestigious volleyball tournaments, including the 18th Asian Senior Men's Volleyball Championship in 2019.
Global Recognition
The FIVB Grand Cross Award is a testament to Dr. Samanta's contributions to the global volleyball community. He received the prestigious honor at the 39th FIVB World Congress in Portugal, attended by representatives from 222 countries. FIVB President, Dr. Ary Graca, commended Dr. Samanta for his "admirable efforts in promoting and developing sports, with a focus on volleyball."
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the history of the FIVB Grand Cross Award? It was first awarded in 1947 to honor individuals who have made exceptional contributions to volleyball.
2. Who has previously received the award? Past recipients include volleyball legends such as Karch Kiraly, Gabriela Perez del Solar, and Kunio Kawamula.
3. What are the criteria for receiving the award? Outstanding achievements and contributions to volleyball, including promoting the sport, developing youth players, and organizing international events.
4. How significant is Dr. Samanta's award? It recognizes India's growing presence and influence in the international volleyball community.
5. What are Dr. Samanta's future plans for volleyball development? He aims to continue supporting young athletes, establish more volleyball academies, and host major international tournaments in India.
Conclusion
Dr. Achyuta Samanta's FIVB Grand Cross Award is a well-deserved recognition of his unwavering dedication to volleyball. His tireless efforts have not only fostered the growth of the sport in India but have also elevated India's standing in the global volleyball arena. The award serves as an inspiration to all those involved in promoting sports and developing young athletes.
Jackson Warne, the son of legendary cricketer Shane Warne, recently visited the home ground of IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, where a gallery has been named after his father. Speaking about his visit, Jackson expressed his delight and gratitude towards the team for honoring his father's contribution and legacy in the cricket world. He also had the chance to meet with current head coach Rahul Dravid, who had replaced Warne as captain during his playing days with the Royals.
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson praises Axar Patel's impressive performance as captain for Delhi Capitals, leading the team to a convincing win over Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025. Despite a slow start, Axar bowled four overs straight and finished with figures better than LSG's star spinner Kuldeep Yadav. With the bat, Axar provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 34 off 20 balls, while teammate KL Rahul sealed the win with an unbeaten half-century, also becoming the fastest player to reach 5000 runs in IPL. Watson commends both players for their composure and adaptability, highlighting their contributions to Delhi's success.
Indian cricketers expressed their support and pride for the Indian Army's retaliation against Pakistan through coordinated airstrikes on terror camps. From quoting the Mahabharata to saluting the armed forces, players like Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina stood in unison with the rest of the country in the face of cross-border tensions. Meanwhile, England cricketer Sam Billings, currently playing in Pakistan, hopes for a de-escalation of the situation.
Star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah reflected on his early days with Mumbai Indians and the advice he received from legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar. Bumrah credits Tendulkar for helping him overcome the pressure and perform well for the team. He also discussed his team's performance in the ongoing IPL 2025.
In a nail-biting NBA Western Conference semifinal series opener, the Denver Nuggets pulled off a surprising upset against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Forward Aaron Gordon's 25-foot 3-pointer with four seconds left sealed the 121-119 victory for the Nuggets, despite trailing by 14 points in the third quarter. Serbian star Nikola Jokic also contributed a career-high 42 points to the Nuggets' stunning comeback.
The Denver Nuggets started their second-round series with a solid performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite trailing by 10 points at halftime, the Nuggets were able to secure a win thanks to Aaron Gordon's game-winning shot. However, it was Nikola Jokic who led the way for Denver with another impressive stat line.
The bond between NBA stars Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant started long before they were teammates on the Golden State Warriors. Back in 2010, the two formed a friendship while playing on the same FIBA World Cup team. During dinner one night, Curry revealed his plans to propose to his girlfriend Ayesha, and Durant was one of the first people to know. Now, years later, the two have reflected on that moment and how their friendship has evolved since then.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched a thrilling 2-run victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 match held at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB's Romario Shepherd emerged as the match hero, smashing 53 runs in just 14 balls and hitting massive sixes in the last over to lead his team to victory. Despite CSK being already knocked out of the playoffs race, RCB's win has pushed them to the top spot of the IPL points table. After the match, Shepherd shared his thoughts on his game-changing performance and how he executed those big hits which left everyone stunned.
The struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad have made a crucial addition to their squad by signing all-rounder Harsh Dubey as an injury replacement for Smaran Ravichandran for the remaining matches of IPL 2025. With impressive stats in domestic cricket, Dubey is expected to boost SRH's performance in their upcoming match against Delhi Capitals. However, this move comes after Smaran himself was brought in as an injury replacement for Adam Zampa, making for an interesting twist.
In a nail-biting match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings, Yash Dayal proved to be the hero for RCB with his exceptional last over performance. He not only took the crucial wicket of CSK captain MS Dhoni but also executed three natty yorkers to secure a 2-run victory for his team. Dayal's composure, execution, and work ethic were praised by his fellow players and experts, making it a must-watch match for cricket enthusiasts. Stay updated on all IPL 2025 news, including points table, teams, schedule, and live scores, as well as other sports news.