Gujarat's Rajal Vala to Captain India's U-18 Women's Volleyball Team at Asian Championship in Thailand
Rajal Vala, a 16-year-old volleyball prodigy from Gujarat, has been appointed captain of the Indian U-18 women's volleyball team for the 16th AVC Asian Women's U-18 Volleyball Championship, scheduled to take place in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, from July 1 to 7, 2026. The announcement was made by the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) following selection trials.
Vala, along with teammates Arpita Vadher (17) and Foram Kagathara (17) – also from Gujarat – will represent India at the continental championship. All three athletes train at the High-Performance Centre of the Sports Authority of Gujarat in Nadiad, highlighting the state's investment in developing sporting talent, according to a press release from the Gujarat Chief Minister's Office.
Selection and Background
Rajal Vala hails from Sarakhadi village in Kodinar taluka of Gir Somnath district. Arpita Vadher is from Vavdi village in Sutrapada taluka of the same district, while Foram Kagathara is from Amreli. The trio earned their spots in the national squad after rigorous selection trials conducted by the VFI. They have been training under the Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG).
Earlier, the VFI had shortlisted a core group of 24 promising players from across the country for a national coaching camp before finalizing the 12-member squad for the championship. The inclusion of three players from Gujarat – including the captain – underscores the state's growing prominence in producing volleyball talent at the national level.
Official Congratulations
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi congratulated the three players on their selection. In a post on X, Sanghavi said: "A proud moment for Gujarat! Congratulations to Rajal Vala on being named Captain of India's U-18 Women's Volleyball Team for the AVC Asian Championship 2026 in Thailand. Best wishes to Rajal Vala, Arpita Vadher, and Foram Kagathara, who will proudly represent India on the continental stage. May Team India achieve new heights of success!"
Tournament Details and Stakes
Organized by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC), the biennial championship will feature 16 national teams competing for the continental title. The tournament also serves as Asia's qualifying event for the 2027 FIVB Girls' U-19 Volleyball World Championship, with the top four teams earning qualification. India will aim for a strong performance in Thailand to secure a top-four finish and a berth in the world championship.
The selection of three players from Gujarat underscores the state's growing contribution to Indian volleyball and its emergence as a strong talent hub for the sport.
