Karkala: Kannadigas have a reason to smile, to be proud of…a girl from Karkala has made it to the International Volleyball tournament to be held in South Africa. Mallika Shetty, who is an international volleyball player is the only woman to represent Karnataka, and is leading the team in the tournament which is being held from June 24 to July 1. Adding to her joy, recently Mallika got a government job in Indian Railways.
Young age, tough times…
Daughter of late Vikasa Shetty and Sumathi Shetty, Mallika, is the eldest among four children. She completed her early education in Bajagoli government school. At that time, she lost her father and decided to quit schooling. But school physical education teacher Umesh, school development committee president Ravindra Shetty Bajagoli, retired teacher Shriranga Joshi visited her family and convinced her to continue studies.
She is Multi talented…
Not only volleyball, Mallika also plays kabaddi, high jump, shotput, discus throw and has represented the state. In 2007, she joined sports school in Vidyanagar in Bengaluru with the help of volleyball coach Premkumar. After three years of studies in the school, she joined Teresian College in Mysuru and got a degree in commerce.
Awards received…
From 2008, she participated in various state tournaments in Punjab, Odisha, Rajasthan, Kerala, UP, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra and won five gold medals, three silver and six bronze medals. She has also taken part in the rural Dasara tournament and other sport events and has won several prizes.
Dedicated coach Ashok…
Ashok from Musuru, is her coach who has trained her to reach this level. In February in the national level tournament held in Kerala, she was the captain of women’s team. She also represented the state in the National volleyball championship held in Chennai.
Family responsibility…
Mallika’s early days were not easy. She used to walk for 6km to go to school. Losing father at very young age, she was to quit studies. She had also responsibilites to take care of her family left behind as the eldest daughter of the family. Sister Sarika Shetty, brothers Anil, Sunil are dependent on her. Her uncles Padmanabha Shetty, Prabhakar Shetty, Shridhar Shetty, Suresh Shetty, Karunakar Shetty, Suresh Shetty, Rajesh Shetty have helped this family through the tough times.
Support from teachers and wellwishers…
Mallika a quiet girl by nature, has made her family as well as country proud with her achievements. In villages, there are many unrecognized talents like Mallika, but we need to identify and give proper direction, said school development committee president Ravindra Shetty. School physical education teacher Umesh speaking to this reporter said that it is the responsibility of the teachers to find those students interested in sports and help them do well.
Here wishing success…
