Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Karkala, Dec 2: Shagun S Verma Hegde, a class 9 student of Christ King English Medium High School, has been selected as the captain of the Indian national team for the Under-15 Girls’ Volleyball Championship conducted by the School Games Federation.

Shagun is the only player from Karnataka to be selected for the Indian Under-15 volleyball team. The international tournament will be held from December 3 to 13 in Shangluo, China, where she will lead the Indian team.

Earlier, she was the only player from Udupi district to qualify for the state-level selection camp. Out of eight players selected from Karnataka for the national selection camp held in Pune, Maharashtra, she emerged as the sole candidate to secure a place in the final national squad. Around 200 players participated in the national camp, from which 23 were shortlisted, and Shagun stood out as the second-ranked player and the only representative from Karnataka.

Shagun has received professional training under coaches Santosh D’Souza, Jeevan D’Silva, Jairaj Poojary and Ramesh.

She is the daughter of Sandesh Verma and Shruthiraj, residents of Kallotte, Karkala. Her selection as team captain has brought immense pride to her school, district and the entire state.