BHUBANESWAR, OCT 7
The KISS Volleyball Festival has made history by establishing a new Guinness World Record for the most players in a volleyball exhibition match, uniting 430 participants in a single game. This initiative was organized by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), Volleyball Foundation, Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), and Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) to achieve this remarkable feat.
Held on October 4, 2024, the event successfully surpassed the previous record by 136 participants, which stood at 294 players, set by the Association Sportive de Saint Genis Les Ollieres and the town of Saint Genis Les Ollieres (France) during the Téléthon 2011 on December 3, 2011.
The record-breaking match lasted eight hours, ending with a close score of 736–756. Teams from the Brahmaputra Volleyball League also participated, enhancing the competitive spirit of the event.
Organized in collaboration with FIVB, KIIT, and KISS, the festival drew over 40,000 attendees, including 5,000 young volleyball enthusiasts. The event featured 60 outdoor courts and multiple indoor venues, promoting fun and inclusivity through a variety of volleyball activities.
This achievement marks Odisha’s first Guinness World Record in sports and India’s second in volleyball. The first record was for the most successful volleyball serves in one minute (38 serves), achieved by Amutha Gunasekar in Puducherry, India, on September 22, 2021.
Expressing his joy, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT & KISS, extended his gratitude to FIVB and its President, Dr. Ary S. Graça F°, for their support. “This record will forever remain in the name of KIIT, KISS, and represents Odisha’s inaugural achievement in the field of sports,” Dr. Samanta stated.
