<p>Varun Muthappa has probably enjoyed more success on the field than most aspirants at the school level. In his last year at St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, He gave a glimpse of his potential at the recently-concluded Centenary Shield Hockey tournament here.</p>.<p>The 15-year-old, captaining his side in the competition, was amongst the scorers in their 4-2 win over Vidyshilp Academy in the final and was later adjudged the player of the tournament. </p>.<p>He was visibly proud of this achievement. “Hockey is a very big thing in St Joseph’s. It was always a dream to play for the school team. Of course, captaining it was just the icing on the cake,” Varun said.</p>.<p>The youngster, aware of the effort that took into making it happen, acknowledged the support he received from the school administration. “In school, every morning at 6:30 am usually we are here as a team and we practice till about 7:50-55. The school has been kind enough to give us breakfast and then we head to class,” he explained.</p>.<p>Varun’s talent isn’t just limited to hockey, the 10th standard student, is equally good in golf. He trains under Rahul Ganapathy at the Epic Golf Academy in Sarjapur.</p>.<p>“I started golf when I was four years old. I have played competitively when I was seven and I have been playing since,” he revealed. I have been playing the IGU Tours for two years now (2017-18, 2018-19).”</p>.<p>Playing multiple-sport requires a lot of focus. It also means giving up on the lighter aspects of student life. But Varun has no regrets.</p>.<p>“I go home and catch up with the work. There’s not a lot of time for me to do what people my age do. Not a lot of partying, hanging out with friends. It requires a lot of focus. I really enjoy, it keeps you on one path,” he said.</p>.<p>Varun prefers golf over hockey but isn’t quite ready to quit one sport for the other. “I play both sports. I want to get a golf scholarship and go to the US after 12. I definitely don’t want to give up hockey and I am trying to get into a club or a camp this year,” he said. </p>.<p>He is grateful for the sacrifices his parents Sagar Muthappa and Kavita Muthappa have made to fulfill his dreams.</p>.<p>“My parents have been with me 100 percent, especially my grandmother, who supports me a lot. She was there at the hockey game as well. My parents have always been there for me, sacrificed a lot, took me up and down to practice. I am really thankful to them.” he said.</p>
<p>Varun Muthappa has probably enjoyed more success on the field than most aspirants at the school level. In his last year at St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, He gave a glimpse of his potential at the recently-concluded Centenary Shield Hockey tournament here.</p>.<p>The 15-year-old, captaining his side in the competition, was amongst the scorers in their 4-2 win over Vidyshilp Academy in the final and was later adjudged the player of the tournament. </p>.<p>He was visibly proud of this achievement. “Hockey is a very big thing in St Joseph’s. It was always a dream to play for the school team. Of course, captaining it was just the icing on the cake,” Varun said.</p>.<p>The youngster, aware of the effort that took into making it happen, acknowledged the support he received from the school administration. “In school, every morning at 6:30 am usually we are here as a team and we practice till about 7:50-55. The school has been kind enough to give us breakfast and then we head to class,” he explained.</p>.<p>Varun’s talent isn’t just limited to hockey, the 10th standard student, is equally good in golf. He trains under Rahul Ganapathy at the Epic Golf Academy in Sarjapur.</p>.<p>“I started golf when I was four years old. I have played competitively when I was seven and I have been playing since,” he revealed. I have been playing the IGU Tours for two years now (2017-18, 2018-19).”</p>.<p>Playing multiple-sport requires a lot of focus. It also means giving up on the lighter aspects of student life. But Varun has no regrets.</p>.<p>“I go home and catch up with the work. There’s not a lot of time for me to do what people my age do. Not a lot of partying, hanging out with friends. It requires a lot of focus. I really enjoy, it keeps you on one path,” he said.</p>.<p>Varun prefers golf over hockey but isn’t quite ready to quit one sport for the other. “I play both sports. I want to get a golf scholarship and go to the US after 12. I definitely don’t want to give up hockey and I am trying to get into a club or a camp this year,” he said. </p>.<p>He is grateful for the sacrifices his parents Sagar Muthappa and Kavita Muthappa have made to fulfill his dreams.</p>.<p>“My parents have been with me 100 percent, especially my grandmother, who supports me a lot. She was there at the hockey game as well. My parents have always been there for me, sacrificed a lot, took me up and down to practice. I am really thankful to them.” he said.</p>