Trying to combine work with serious practice, says Vir Khade

India's brightest hope to win a swimming medal in next year's Commonwealth and Asian Games, Virdhawal Khade, is trying to balance his professional career as a government servant and his sport, but says no one should be surprised if he prefers the former to swimming in near future.
"My preparations are going well. Unfortunately I have started working for the state govt (Tehsildar in Borivli dealing with encroachments). I have to work the full day (11-to 6). I can't give as much time to swimming as I used to," said the 22-year-old swimmer on the sidelines of a media conference here today.

The Commonwealth Games are scheduled in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to August 3 followed by Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea from September 19 to October 4.
"Earlier I used to train for 8-9 hours; now I can train for only 5-6 hours (from early morning 5:30 to 8:30-9 and again from 6 or 6:30 in the evening), which is quite a drawback. But I am trying to cope up with work and swimming and, hopefully, if I do things at the right time I should be among medals next year.
"I also want to study for UPSC examinations. Long term, I have to think about what I have to do for my family. If that affects my swimming, then no one should be surprised. Everyone has the right to plan for their family. I plan to swim till 2016 Olympic Games (in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)," said Khade who provided a swimming medal (50m butterfly bronze) for India at the Asian Games after a gap of 24 years in 2010 in Guangzhou.

The Kolhapur-born swimmer, who became the youngest Indian swimmer to take part in 2008 Beijing Olympics but did not go to London last year despite attaining the qualifying standards, said he was confident of doing well and winning medals at both the CWG and Asian Games.
"There are qualifying for CWG in Glasgow that should start end of February and also for the Asian Games and there would be a lot of competitions. We just have to give (perform) the time they have given as qualifying times. I am confident for both events. I am planning to take part in 3 events - 50, 100 free and 50 butterfly.