Home alone, Zeba swims against odds

Lot has happened since the 15-year-old stood on the winner8217;s podium at Bangalore. The highlight being the South Asian Federation Games SAF in Kathmandu in September-October. She won three golds 8212; 100m, 200m breastroke and freestyle relay 8212; tiding over the disappointment of the Asia Pacific event just prior to SAF where she got two bronze relay medals. She clocked her best timings at Kathmandu, breaking two eight-year-old meet marks, but is still searching for National records in those two events.

8220;The camp which was held at Bangalore before the SAF Games was a revelation,8221; says Zeba before a practice session at the Shiv Chatrapati Maharaj Samarth Samiti pool, Vile Parle, on Tuesday.

8220;I improved so much in a short duration, cutting almost two seconds in the 200m during a training camp that lasted just 20 days. You can imagine how much I can improve if I trained like that for a longer duration,8221; she adds.

The difference at Bangalore, the first year commerce student from NM College said, was made by the group she was involved with. The cream of Indian swimmers, including multiple-medal winner Nisha Millet, was a part of the group put under the strict supervision of four coaches at Bangalore8217;s Basavanagudi Pool.

8220;I trained so hard and there was no respite as we were being watched constantly by the coaches. Even if we slipped a little, we would be pulled up,8221; she says. The training was more systematic, more rigorous, with every move scrutinised, she adds.

Quite unlike in Mumbai where she trains alone which, at times, is very difficult. After shifting from the Indian Institute of Technology IIT to the Vile Parle pool, she is being assisted by Ajit Kamble there. But she now lacks company and rues the solitude.

8220;I shifted from IIT because I was wasting a lot of time in travelling. But I had no company there too,8221; explains Zeba, who trained under Dr M Reddy at IIT, while stressing the significance of peer presence.

It took expert juggling last year for Zeba to compete and complete her SSC. Now, she continues to fight for time as college education mercilessly snaps at her heels. But she is willing to push on, while looking out for some kind of sponsorship that would give her swimming career a boost.

One of Maharashtra8217;s only two senior National champions 8212; the other being Shane Pedder 8212; Zeba says she would like to train abroad for atleast six months but is handicapped by the lack of funds. Though Zeba is pursuing prospects in the United States and Australia, she is as yet unsure how things will work. There is little help forthcoming as the teenager searches for information on possibilities abroad.

8220;I am looking for a long-term programme, not the weekend coaching schemes prevalent in the West. I have got in touch with some people but nothing has worked out yet,8221; she says.

Father Homi chases elusive sponsors while Zeba keeps her fingers crossed. 8220;I hope I get something while I am still actively swimming,8221; she grins.

ACHIEVEMENTS 1999

Junior Maharashtra state-level meet in Pune: 11 golds 9 meet records

Junior Nationals in Jodhpur: 2 golds, 2 silvers, 2 bronzes

Asia Pacific in New Delhi: 2 bronzes

SAF Games in Kathmandu: 3 golds

BEST TIMINGS

50m breaststroke: 37.95 8212; 1997 Nationals

100m breaststroke: 1:19:09 8212; SAF, meet record

200m breaststroke: 2:50:75 8212; SAF, meet record.