<p>Being the only girl child, it wasn't easy for Sanjana N Kumar to pursue a career in sport, especially when certain members in the family wanted her to prioritise studies. But with parents by her side, the 16-year-old broke those shackles and is now among the brightest upcoming basketball talents in Karnataka.</p>.<p>"My family was against it. They wanted me to focus on studies as I am the lone girl child, but my parents stood their ground and encouraged me to go. They are the ones who sent me here (DYES Vidyanagar)," recalled Sanjana, a 11th grade student of Sri Venkateshwara PU College. Her father Nandakumar is a businessman and mother Manjula is a teacher.</p>.<p>Basketball coach Sathyanarayana K first spotted her at a DYES selection camp four years ago. Seeing her potential, he immediately asked her to join the facility. Since then Sanjana's talent has grown manifold, earning her a spot in various State-level and National-level tournaments. She fondly remembers her first National competition. “I was so excited in the beginning but it was tough. All the players were tall and I was comparatively short,” said Sanjana, who plays as a forward.</p>.<p>In 2016, she bagged a gold medal in State-level U-17 Khelo India Games. Last year, she bagged a silver in 35th Youth National Championships. Earlier this year, she claimed top honours with DYES Vidyanagar at the 4th State-level Mathru Cup women's basketball championship and at the State-level Mayor Cup. </p>.<p>She was also in the NBA camp for India women in January earlier this year. "It was a three-day camp. One of our coaches (Blair Hardiek, Global Technical Director, NBA Academy Women's Program) missed her flight so she arrived a day late. It was cut short to two days. They also told us about NCAA,” said Sanjana.</p>.<p>Sathyanarayana holds her in high regard and predicts a bright future. “She is very talented. There is a move called the zero step. It’s an advanced skill and only she can execute it properly. She is one of my best students,” he said. </p>.<p>It is tough for the sportsperson to keep up with studies especially when you’re out playing a tournament, but with a little help from the school, balance can be found. “When I come back and I cover the portions. My lecturers help me a lot. I get the attendance. My dean and principal help me a lot. They give special classes if required,” she said.</p>.<p>Watching Stephen Curry weave magic in NBA initially drew Sanjana's attention to the sport. "I feel very motivated when I see those matches. It is a very stylish and impressive game," said Sanjana, who trains four hours a day and wants to take up the sport professionally in future.</p>
<p>Being the only girl child, it wasn't easy for Sanjana N Kumar to pursue a career in sport, especially when certain members in the family wanted her to prioritise studies. But with parents by her side, the 16-year-old broke those shackles and is now among the brightest upcoming basketball talents in Karnataka.</p>.<p>"My family was against it. They wanted me to focus on studies as I am the lone girl child, but my parents stood their ground and encouraged me to go. They are the ones who sent me here (DYES Vidyanagar)," recalled Sanjana, a 11th grade student of Sri Venkateshwara PU College. Her father Nandakumar is a businessman and mother Manjula is a teacher.</p>.<p>Basketball coach Sathyanarayana K first spotted her at a DYES selection camp four years ago. Seeing her potential, he immediately asked her to join the facility. Since then Sanjana's talent has grown manifold, earning her a spot in various State-level and National-level tournaments. She fondly remembers her first National competition. “I was so excited in the beginning but it was tough. All the players were tall and I was comparatively short,” said Sanjana, who plays as a forward.</p>.<p>In 2016, she bagged a gold medal in State-level U-17 Khelo India Games. Last year, she bagged a silver in 35th Youth National Championships. Earlier this year, she claimed top honours with DYES Vidyanagar at the 4th State-level Mathru Cup women's basketball championship and at the State-level Mayor Cup. </p>.<p>She was also in the NBA camp for India women in January earlier this year. "It was a three-day camp. One of our coaches (Blair Hardiek, Global Technical Director, NBA Academy Women's Program) missed her flight so she arrived a day late. It was cut short to two days. They also told us about NCAA,” said Sanjana.</p>.<p>Sathyanarayana holds her in high regard and predicts a bright future. “She is very talented. There is a move called the zero step. It’s an advanced skill and only she can execute it properly. She is one of my best students,” he said. </p>.<p>It is tough for the sportsperson to keep up with studies especially when you’re out playing a tournament, but with a little help from the school, balance can be found. “When I come back and I cover the portions. My lecturers help me a lot. I get the attendance. My dean and principal help me a lot. They give special classes if required,” she said.</p>.<p>Watching Stephen Curry weave magic in NBA initially drew Sanjana's attention to the sport. "I feel very motivated when I see those matches. It is a very stylish and impressive game," said Sanjana, who trains four hours a day and wants to take up the sport professionally in future.</p>