Four female swimmers of the country including ace natant Sabura Khatun were set to feature in the 10 km swim on the Dakatia river in Chandpur but their desire to compete in the annual event of Bangladesh Swimming Federation (BSF) came unstuck following threats from Anti-Islamic Activities Prevent Committee (AIAPC).

The AIAPC leaders including the Chandpur district general secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami, a member of the ruling coalition, threatened the DC of Chandpur with dire consequences in a memorandum, forcing the swimming federation to abandon the women's event.

Ironically, the decision to drop the women's competition was made by none other than the president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and local BNP lawmaker SA Sultan.

Sultan, who only recently had to deal with the hardline Islamic organisations during the first-ever football competition for women, surprisingly retreated to appease members of his constituency.

"This is a regular event and we faced no objections with women swimmers taking part on the Mahananda river in Chapainawab-ganj last year. We were also adamant to stage it in Chandpur but had to suspend the women's competition at the insistence of Mr. Sultan," told BSF general secretary Sahabuddin to The Daily Star over phone.

Sultan admitted that he requested the swimming federation not to allow women swimmers to compete fearing it might antagonise the sentiments of the local religious leaders.

"It's true that I've had to request the federation officials because the situation could have turned hostile. But personally I don't find anything wrong with women taking part in any sport," said Sultan.

"The action of the religious groups is certainly a discrimination of sex," Sultan said adding that he is a progressive minded-person.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Fazlur Rahman, who attended the competition as chief guest, said that he was not aware that the women's swimming event had been suspended.

"I only came to know about it once I reached here. It was postponed but I'm sure it will take place again."

Meanwhile, Ain o Salis Kendro, a human rights organisation, condemned the suspension of women's swimming competition in Chandpur due to threats issued by zealots.