Nat'l C'ships in Gopalganj this year

The National Swimming Championships this year are going to be held outside the capital for the first time with Gopalganj hosting the 27th edition of the meet at a newly-built complex in the southern district from Monday.

With approximately 500 swimmers expected to compete in 38 events -- 19 each for men and women, the clubs have also been given opportunity for the first time to participate in the four-day championships. But all the timings will be recorded manually as no electronic device has been installed at this new venue.

"As part of spreading swimming across the country, we are taking these championships out of the capital for the first time and this year we are organising the competition at the newly-built pool in Gopalganj," said Bangladesh Swimming Federation (BSF) general secretary Rofiz Uddin Ahmed at a press conference at the BOA Auditorium yesterday.

The swimming complex in Gopalganj was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in February this year and it is going to host a competitive tournament for the first time.

"We don't want to confine swimming within Dhaka. We will hold the next championships in another district," said Rofiz, adding that they were planning to hold the Bangabandhu Swimming Championships involving all SAARC nations in the capital within the next three-four months.

The BSF had held national championships at junior level outside the capital once in Bogra.

Chief financial officer of sponsors RMM Group, who are providing TK 15 lakh, Hemangshu Sarker promised to stay with the sport in the next year too.