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Lack of sponsorship has been the bane of Indian sports. It has stymied many a budding career. Virdhawal Khade, a hero today, missed out on the World Youth Swimming Championships in 2006 because of lack of funds.

Now that he has qualified for the Beijing Olympics, the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) will make every effort to see that Khade does not go the way of other swimmers who floundered in the absence of financial support.

Virendra Nanavati, secretary, SFI, told Hindustan Times over phone from Melbourne that they will send Khade abroad to train and participate in international events to prepare for the Olympics.

“Just before I left for Melbourne, I had received a proposal from the Indian government through the Sports Authority of India, seeking a proposal to send Virdhawal to train abroad,” Nanavati said. “I have asked his coach Nihar Amin to prepare a detailed proposal that will be sent to the government.”

As Khade becomes the first Indian male swimmer to qualify for the Olympics via an individual event – Shikha Tandon qualified for Athens Olympics but she touched the mark in a relay event – Nanavati is hoping the Kolhapur boy will cross the qualifying mark of 50.95 in the men’s 100m freestyle in Melbourne on Wednesday morning.

“That would be a great boost for Indian swimming,” said Nanavati. “Ankur Poseria, who trains in the US, returned very good timings here on Tuesday while Rehan Pooncha has also done well in his event. Virdhawal is in good form and we have high hopes of him qualifying in 100 freestyle too.

“He has shown continuous progress in the last few years and is the best in the world in his age-group. We want him to continue his progress and make it to the top in the seniors also. Though swimming is neglected and getting 100 per cent financial assistance is very difficult, we are trying our best to get sponsorship for him.”

Nanavati said the government support will not be enough. Khade also needs help from private bodies in order to swim to glory.