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Sailing against the tide

Meet Fatime Bee, who will compete in the Fespic Championship despite all odds

PHOTO: G. KRISHNASWAMY

COURAGEOUS Fatima Bee at Hussain Sagar

In the world of sports, only the fittest survive. But a physically challenged girl from Hyderabad, Fatima Bee, a victim of polio on her both legs, has dared to venture into the demanding sport of sailing.

At the instance of Arjuna Awardee C.S. Pradipak, this 19-year-old daughter of Mohd Yakub, an attender at the Hyderabad Public School (Begumpet) is all set to become India's first-ever to compete in the Fespic Championship in Kuala Lumpur this November. It is the biggest sporting event in the world outside the Paralympics.

It was an amazing display of triumph over adversity when Pradipak, himself surviving from the Parkinson's Syndrome, decided to hunt for physically challenged sailors to field a four-member Indian team for the Kuala Lumpur edition. "Thanks to my yoga teacher Chandrakanth who happens to be a staff member of HPS, this young girl was spotted. She was willing to sail despite all odds," says Pradipak.

For her part, the unassuming Fatima, studying B.Com through correspondence, is delighted at the opportunity. She will compete in what will be her maiden international competition. "I am ready for the challenge, come what may," says the confident youngster.

True to his nature, Pradipak does not wish to promise any sensational results from the Indian contingent. He says it is an effort to give exposure to this special category for the first time in Asia-Oceania Zone. Even as strong winds blow at Hussain Sagar Lake, Fatima ventures into the lake to show her indefatigable spirit which is almost akin to her illustrious coach. And when two human beings - determined to defy destiny - are at work, it is bound to be news for the regulars at the Secunderabad Sailing Club.

What facilitated this process was Pradipak's procurement of the specially designed Access Dinghy boat from Australia for the physically challenged, which costs about one lakh rupees. "Even first-timers can really enjoy sailing in it," he says. The other members who are scheduled to represent India in the Fespic Championship are A.K. Singh who has an amputated leg, and Rishab Suri who is suffering from Down Syndrome.

But like always the big query remains. Who will sponsor this trip that may cost Rs. 30,000 for each sailor. "I sincerely hope that Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh will chip in substantially," says an optimistic Pradipak. Fatima's mother, Ayesha, too is delighted at her daughter's prospects. "Thanks to Pradipak, my daughter is here," she says modestly.

Well, as they say hope is the eternal motivating factor. And when Fatima trusted Pradipak she must have been pretty sure of the latter's commitment and sincerity to help her to realise her newfound dream to represent India in a sports event. With the nation having celebrated yet another Independence Day, these two are determined to gain independence from the crutches of cynicism and indifference of the modern world.

V.V. S

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