Tejaswini Thappa from Pune has been appointed as the captain of the Maharashtra State Junior Girls team, which will compete in the Junior Girls National Football Championship – Tier 2 in Belgaum, Karnataka, from July 29 to August 2. Thappa is one of four players from Pune selected for the 22-member squad.
All matches will be hosted at the Sporting Planet Lovedale Central School Ground. Joining Thappa in the team are her fellow Pune players: Navmi Shanbhag and Diya Payyappilly, both defenders and Tanisha Ajmera, a midfielder.
Tejaswini Thappa, a versatile midfielder, has shown exceptional leadership qualities and technical skills on the field, making her a natural choice for the captaincy. Navmi Shanbhag is known for her strong defensive tactics and ability to read the game, while Diya Payyappilly brings robust defensive capabilities and a strategic mind. Tanisha Ajmera, with her agility and ball control, will be a crucial player in the midfield, supporting both defence and attack.
The Western India Football Association (WIFA) has placed the Maharashtra team in Group B, where they will face off against teams from Rajasthan, Tripura, and Pondicherry. The team has undergone rigorous training at a coaching cum conditioning and selection trials camp in Kolhapur to ensure they are in top form for the championship.
Maharashtra’s fixtures in the group stage are set as follows:
- July 29: Pondicherry vs Maharashtra
- July 31: Tripura vs Maharashtra
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