About 500 athletes including 100 women from 72 districts and the services teams will take part in the three-day track and field event, which is being held here after long break of 20 years.

During a press conference yesterday, it was revealed that the organisers Chittagong Divisional Krira Sangstha (CDKS) had allocated a Taka seven lakh budget for the competition.

The port city hosted the meet in 1975, 1979 and 1985.

State Minister for Sports and Youth Md Fazlur Rahman was expected to inaugurate it as the chief guest in the afternoon after colourful opening ceremony.