I am hoping my friends and family will help me on my quest. I lost a very close friend recently. Sham Dhumatkar and I go back 35 years, when we were regulars at Khar Gymkhana. He was blessed to have talented kids, but his youngest - Aditi Dhumatkar was special. Throughout her career, she has shown dedication and resolve and been one of India's top swimmers, representing her country on many occasions.
We all know how India treats any other sport besides cricket, and sadly, Aditi is at a crossroad, after her father's recent passing. She was in the process of preparing for the 17th FINA World Championships in Budapest July 14 - 30, 2017 when she lost her dad. I have urged her to continue her swimming career and promised to help is whatever way I can.
The Indian Government and Maharashtra State has promised Aditi support in the form of prize money for her outstanding performance in 2015-16. Unfortunately, she has not seen a paise of this. In order to continue her high level performance, Aditi Dhumatkar needs a very special high protein diet, with a lot of health supplements and vitamins.
She has chosen to train with one of India's best coaches in Bangalore. Her training and living costs are too much of her burden and Aditi cannot depend on her mother to continue this support. In addition, to meet her goals, she also has to undergo physiotherapy and mental conditioning, something which is crucial at the world class level she is currently at.
We are talking about India's Fastest Women swimmer.
At the 35th National Games held in 2015, at Trivandrum, Kerala -
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50 Freestyle - Gold Medal and National Record
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100 Freestyle - Silver Medal
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4 x 100 Freestyle Relay - Gold Medal and National Record
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4 x 100 Medley Relay - Gold Medal and National Record
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4 x 200 Freestyle Relay - Gold Medal and National Record
Recently, for the 70th Senior National Aquatic Championships held at Ranchi, Jharkhand from 24th-28th Sept 2016 -
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50 Freestyle - Gold Medal
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100 Freestyle - Gold Medal
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200 Freestyle Silver Medal
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4x50 Freestyle Medley Relay - Gold Medal
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4x200 Freestyle relay - Gold Medal
Aditi is 25, and determined to give her best effort to represent India and win a medal at the 2020 Olympics. Most likely, this will be her last hurrah.
But her immediate goal is the 17th FINA World Championships in Budapest July 14 - 30, 201.
I have created this Page to appeal to all my sports minded friends, specially those from India who know how hard it is for these athletes to survive, let alone compete with the world's best. Please generously support a champion, who has been fighting against all odds and achieved so much already. Thanks!