At the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2025 in Diu, Tamil Nadu dominated the beach volleyball event, clinching gold in both the men’s and women’s categories. Their continued success was highlighted by the inspiring story of two young men from the Palavakkam fishing community—Robin Ravi (23) and Bharat Somu (22). With no formal training initially, both athletes honed their skills on makeshift beach courts, driven purely by passion and community spirit. Their efforts paid off as they represented India at the 2023 CAVA Continental Cup in Bangladesh (winning bronze) and secured silver at the KIBG on May 23.
“They live on the beach; it’s second nature to them,” said veteran coach A.J. Martin Sudhakar, competition manager at KIBG 2025. Sudhakar explained how the fisherman lifestyle—pulling nets, walking on shifting sands, enduring the sun—naturally conditions their bodies for beach volleyball. Despite their talent and international medals, Robin and Bharat are unemployed, reflecting the urgent need for institutional support.
Sudhakar emphasised the need for government jobs for such athletes to inspire broader participation. “If they get jobs, 100 more will follow,” he said. A 10-day camp is being organised in Chennai to scout and train talent from fishing communities. Sudhakar believes Tamil Nadu’s success model—with strong school-level infrastructure and natural beaches—can be replicated in other coastal and even inland states. “You just need a foot of sand and a marked court,” he said.
He calls for a national roadmap involving coach training, regional academies, and foreign expertise. “Beach volleyball is India’s best shot at global success in volleyball. This is the right time,” Sudhakar concluded.
This was the first edition of the Beach Games under the Khelo India banner, spotlighting the potential of grassroots talent in unconventional sporting disciplines.
