The groundbreaking “Udaan” School Volleyball Programme, a significant initiative designed to cultivate volleyball at the grassroots level across India, officially commenced in Chandigarh from August 18 to 22, 2025. This ambitious program is a joint venture between the FIVB, the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT), the FIVB Volleyball Foundation, and the Departments of Sports and Education of the Government of Chandigarh. Further bolstering its mission, the program receives support from the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP).
The name “Udaan,” meaning “Flight” in Hindi, perfectly embodies the program`s inspirational goal: to empower young athletes to “leap, spike, and soar” towards their full potential in the sport.
The inaugural “Phase I” of the Udaan School Volleyball Programme was marked by an intensive five-day Knowledge Transfer Programme. This crucial phase focused on equipping 120 physical education teachers from 108 government schools with essential technical volleyball skills, contemporary teaching and coaching tools, and necessary volleyball equipment. Beyond technical expertise, the initiative also emphasized instilling core Olympic values. These comprehensively trained teachers are now poised to inspire and positively impact over 140,000 students throughout Chandigarh, effectively integrating volleyball as a central and dynamic part of school life.
