The Max Group 35th National Swimming, Diving and Water Polo Championships will begin at 3:00 pm on Wednesday at the Mirpur National Swimming Complex. Around 470 male and 102 female swimmers from 74 teams are expected to compete in the four-day event, which will conclude on Saturday with a closing ceremony and prize distribution.
However, the competition has drawn attention even before its opening, following the decision to withdraw cash prizes for medal winners.
At last year’s 34th edition, gold medalists received Tk 2,000 each, while silver and bronze medalists were awarded Tk 1,000 and Tk 500, respectively. This year, no cash prizes have been allocated for medal winners.
At a press conference held on Tuesday at the Bangladesh Olympic Association auditorium, Swimming Federation General Secretary Syed Aminul Haque Dewan Sajal avoided a question about why the cash prizes had been discontinued. Instead, he highlighted the Tk 5,000 reward for swimmers who set new records, saying it was intended to motivate athletes. However, the same amount was offered for record-breaking performances last year as well.
This year’s competition will feature 49 events, including 42 swimming events, six diving events and one water polo event. Diving will include three events each for men and women. The three women’s diving events were introduced at the national level last year.
Following World Aquatics guidelines, the programme will also include the men’s 800-metre freestyle, women’s 1,500-metre freestyle, and the 4×100-metre mixed freestyle and medley relays.
A new addition this year will be a demonstration event for swimmers with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Youth and Sports State Minister Aminul Haque is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony as the chief guest. Navy Chief and Swimming Federation President Admiral Khondkar Misbah-ul-Azim, along with Member of Parliament Rezaul Karim Badsha, will attend as special guests.
Mohammad Alamgir, senior vice-president of the federation and chairman of Max Group, will preside over the ceremony.
