VARANASI, Jan. 3 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate the eight-day 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship, scheduled to be held at Dr Sampurnanand Sports Stadium in Sigra, Varanasi, from January 4 to January 11. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath will be physically present at the inaugural session to encourage the players.

Varanasi Nagar Nigam public relations officer Sandeep Srivastava said this is the first time in the city's history that a national championship of this magnitude is being organised. He added that 1,250 players will participate in the competition.

Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak, who is also the president of the Uttar Pradesh Volleyball Association, will attend the inaugural session as the ...