Odisha men and women registered wins on the third day of the 59th Senior National Volleyball Championship at Biju Patnaik Indoor Stadium, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar today. Odisha men beat Chandigarh by 3-1 sets to achieve their third successive win in Group F, while Odisha women outplayed Chhattisgarh 3-0 to notch their second win in Group C.

Odisha Sports & Youth Services Minister Tusharkanti Behera joined the opening ceremony as chief guest earlier on March 5. Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) president Dr Achyuta Samanta, secretary general Anil Choudhary and Odisha Volleyball Association (OVA) general secretary Dr Gaganendu Das were present on the occasion.

As many 30 men and 28 women teams are said to have joined championship, which is scheduled to be concluded on March 11. This is first time that teams from Union Territory Ladakh participated in the National championship. Odisha is hosting the Senior National Championship for the second successive time at KIIT Deemed to be University.

But media management for the championship has been poor. Despite repeated calls for results and other information, OVA offials did not bother to respond. Though Odisha men and women played respective first match today, names of players, coaches and support staff were not announced.

“Multiple sports events are going on in KIIT University. We are running short of man-power to cater to the needs of the mediapersons. Opening day was too hectic. However, no such problem will be there henceforth,” explained OVA secretary Dr Dash.

ODISHA RESULTS:

MEN: March 5: Odisha beat Madhya Pradesh 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 28-26), . March 6: Odisha beat Chhattisgarh 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 28-26). March 7: Odisha beat Chandigarh 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 29-27, 26-24).

WOMEN: March 5: Odisha lost to Rajasthan 2-3 (19-25, 25-9, 17-25, 25-18, 14-16). March 6: Odisha beat Manipur 3-0 (25-7, 25-9, 25-15). March 7: Odisha beat Chhattisgarh 3-0 (25-7, 25-13, 25-12).
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PHOTO: Players, guests and officials at the opening ceremony of 69th Senior National Volleyball Championship at Biju Patnaik Indoor Stadium in Bhubaneswar on 5 March, 2021.