India’s new swimming sensation Virdhawal Khade’s career has received a big boost after the Mittal Champions Trust (MCT) committed to financially support his training schedule in the build-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

“Though Beijing and New Delhi are the immediate targets, we are actually looking at the 2012 Olympic Games when Khade will be at his prime as a swimmer,” said Manisha Malhotra, administrative officer at the MCT, to The Indian Express today.

“The Mittal Champions Trust believes that Virdhawal has the talent and potential, so we are happy to give him the push he needs to get to the pinnacle of his sport,” she added.

Khade shot into the limelight after he became the first Indian swimmer to directly qualify for the Olympics. He got the ticket to the 2008 Summer Games after he clocked 1:52.41, bettering the qualifying mark of 1:52.53, in the 200m freestyle event at the World Swimming Championships in Melbourne early in the year.

As per the contract, the MCT will fund all his training programmes—home or abroad—travelling, coaching and every other need that may arise from time to time. Though both Khade and the MCT are looking at a long-term association, it is a one-year contract to start with.

Renewal of it will depend on his progress, performance and comments from the coaches Khade will be working with. “That’s the way we have been doing with all others on board at the MCT,” added Manisha.

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