Three talented volleyball players from Gujarat have secured spots in India’s team for the 16th AVC Asian Women’s Under-18 Volleyball Championship. Rajal Vala, a 16-year-old player from Gujarat, has been named as the captain for the upcoming tournament in Thailand. The championship, scheduled from July 1 to 7 in Nakhon Ratchasima, will see 16 teams vying for the Asian title.
Rajal Vala will lead the Indian team, comprising players like Arpita Vadher and Forum Kagathara from Gujarat, against strong youth volleyball teams from across Asia. These players, who train at the High Performance Centre in Nadiad under the Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG), have earned their spots through dedication and skill. Rajal, hailing from Sarkhadi village in Kodinar taluka of Gir Somnath district, will captain the Indian Under-18 women’s team.
Before finalizing the squad for the championship, the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) conducted a national coaching camp where 24 promising players were selected from various parts of the country. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi has extended his congratulations to Rajal Vala, Arpita Vadher, and Forum Kagathara for their selection and wished the team success in the upcoming championship. The inclusion of these Gujarat players, including the team captain, highlights the state’s growing influence in age-group volleyball at the national level.
