Union Minister of Youth Sports Mandaviya Felicitates Men’s Volleyball winners

Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya today felicitated the Indian contingent that created history by securing the country’s first-ever medal at the AVC Men’s Volleyball Cup 2026.

Congratulating the players, coaching staff and support personnel, Dr. Mandaviya said, “This medal is historic, but it should only be the beginning. Every achievement brings greater responsibility and higher expectations. Every policy, every investment and every effort of the Government is aimed at helping our athletes realise their full potential and consistently excel on the international stage.”

The AVC Men’s Volleyball Cup is the premier annual continental men’s volleyball competition in Asia. The 2026 edition marked the first occasion that India hosted the tournament, adding another important chapter to the country’s sporting calendar.

The team went on to defeat Bahrain 3-1 in the third-place playoff to clinch the bronze medal, securing India’s first-ever medal and best-ever finish in the history of the AVC Men’s Volleyball Cup.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Captain Jerome Vinith Charles expressed gratitude for the support extended by the Government of India and dedicated the historic medal to the people of the country.

Chief Coach Dragan Mihailović lauded the Government’s long-term vision for Indian sports and expressed confidence in India’s future on the international sporting stage. “The direction in which Indian sport is moving is extremely encouraging. The planning, investment and athlete support systems that the Government has already put in place and those being planned are exactly what high-performance sport requires. If this momentum continues, I am confident India will regularly stand on the podium at every major international sporting event.”(UPDATED ON 29TH JUNE 2026)