The Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2025 were held in Diu from May 19 to 24. Tamil Nadu emerged as champions in both the men’s and women’s categories. Among the players were 23-year-old Robin Ravi and 22-year-old Bharat Somu, who were part of the silver medal-winning team in the men’s volleyball tournament during the inaugural match held on Friday.
“We live on the beach. It’s our life. Walking, working, and playing on the sand is second nature to us,” say both Ravi and Somu.
Talking about the duo, veteran volleyball coach and administrator A. J. Martin Sudhakar told SAI Media, “They have been practicing on a ground within their own hamlet in Palavakkam. Their dream is to represent India at the Olympics. Their families are not rich. Their fathers are fishermen and plumbers. But their biggest support has been the freedom to pursue the sport even without jobs.”
Sudhakar, who was the competition manager for volleyball at KIBG 2025, further highlighted how the fishermen community has elevated the game of volleyball in India.
“The fisherman community has given us some of the strongest and most resilient players in the game,” said Sudhakar
Highlighting the prominence brought to the sport by the fishing community, Sudhakar emphasised the hard work and dedication that have helped popularise volleyball.
“The fisherman community has given us some of the strongest and most resilient players in the game. Their lifestyle—pulling fishing nets, walking on shifting sand, constant exposure to the sun—builds the perfect stamina, balance, and strength needed for beach volleyball. That is why they adapt to beach volleyball faster than most. Their lower bodies are already conditioned for the uneven terrain. Endurance and adaptability to sand are critical. Acclimatisation is part of the game. Fisherman boys adapt faster because they live in this weather. That’s a major reason why they excel,” he added.
Sudhakar himself has played a significant role in bringing volleyball to prominence in India. He coached Pradeep John and Mohan Poothathan, who led India to a 9th-place finish in volleyball at the 2006 Asian Games—India’s first continental success in the sport.
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