As the countdown begins for the FISU World University Games 2025 in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, excitement builds around the Indian women’s volleyball team, who are preparing to step onto the global university stage once again.
Scheduled from 16 to 24 July, the tournament will test India’s young student-athletes against some of the sport’s powerhouses.
With the men’s team not participating this edition, all eyes will be on the women’s squad to carry the nation’s hopes in volleyball at the Games widely regarded as the “Olympics of University Sport.”
Fixtures: A Tough Start for India
The Indian women’s team faces a demanding group stage:
- 16 July – vs Brazil 🇧🇷
- 17 July – vs Poland 🇵🇱
- 18 July – vs Spain 🇪🇸
Brazil and Poland are among the most consistent performers in international volleyball, both at the senior and university level. Spain, too, brings technical skill and European experience. This schedule means India will play on three consecutive days, testing both physical stamina and mental resilience.
The Squad: A Blend of Youth and Potential
The announced squad for Rhine-Ruhr features 14 talented players drawn from different universities and states, highlighting the growth of women’s volleyball in India:
- Ananthi Arasu
- Chaithra Thachana Vay
- Minalben Sohanbhai Gamit
- Jeyapriya Muniyasamy
- Nithisha Murugan
- Reny Joseph
- Sakshi Dubey
- Suji Vijayan
- Ananya Singh
- Pavithra Rajeesh
- Anamika Palliyath
- Tanu Rathi
While the team may not have the depth of traditional volleyball nations, the players bring competitive exposure from national inter-university tournaments and Khelo India University Games.
Names like Sakshi Dubey and Ananya Singh have previously featured in university-level championships and shown promise.
Looking Back: Chengdu 2023 Performance
India’s last appearance at the Chengdu 2023 World University Games was challenging. The women’s team finished 12th out of 12 teams, while the men’s team placed 14th among 16.
Chengdu 2023 Women’s Final Standings:
- 🥇 China
- 🥈 Japan
- 🥉 Poland
- Brazil
- Italy
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Czech Republic
- Chinese Taipei
- Argentina
- Colombia
- India
In men’s volleyball, traditional European and Asian powers dominated:
- 🥇 Italy
- 🥈 Poland
- 🥉 China
- Iran
- Argentina
- Germany
- Portugal
- Ukraine
- South Korea
- Brazil
- Japan
- Chinese Taipei
- Czech Republic
- India
- Hong Kong
- Azerbaijan
These results underscore the gap India still faces at the world university level, especially against teams with professional leagues and deeper developmental systems.
Why This Campaign Matters
While India’s volleyball teams haven’t traditionally reached podium positions at the FISU Games, participation itself remains crucial. These events offer Indian student-athletes rare exposure to play against technically superior opponents, understand international systems, and test themselves under pressure.
For many, it also serves as a pathway to senior national teams and professional clubs. Competing against Brazil, Poland, and Spain isn’t just about the result, but about learning to match their speed, defence structures, and tactical discipline.
Indian Men’s Team to Miss Out
Unlike in 2023, India’s men’s volleyball team will not compete this time. The reasons include tight qualification criteria and limited slots for Asian teams. While this is a setback, it could also help channel resources and attention towards building a stronger women’s program for future editions.
In the bigger picture, Indian university volleyball still has work to do to bridge the gap with global leaders. Countries like Italy, Poland, China, and Brazil invest significantly at the collegiate level, supported by domestic leagues and talent identification pipelines.
However, India’s consistent participation, even without top finishes, is laying important foundations. Initiatives like the Khelo India University Games, increased AIU-backed camps, and nodal universities organising regular national trials are steps in the right direction.
Facing three of the world’s stronger volleyball nations, India’s women’s team enters Rhine-Ruhr 2025 as underdogs. Yet, every set won and every competitive match played is a small victory for a program building towards the future.
Beyond the scores, this tournament offers India’s university athletes the chance to wear the national jersey on an international stage a source of pride, experience, and motivation to keep pushing the sport forward back home.
As Indian volleyball continues its long climb, events like the FISU World University Games remain essential chapters in the story of its growth.
#FISUGames #IndianVolleyball #RhineRuhr2025 #UniversityGames #TeamIndia 🏐🇮🇳
