National athletics starts today at BNS

The Bangabandhu 44th National Athletics Championships will get underway today at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, with the participants asked to submit reports of Covid-19 tests before taking to the track. 

Even though Bangladesh Athletics Federation (BAF) could not ensure Covid-19 tests of athletes and officials during the Junior Athletics Championships in November last year, this time the sport's local governing body is determined to ensure of a Covid-free competition for all participants, who must submit negative reports of tests taken 72 hours prior to their events.

Marking the birth centenary of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the championships will award cash prizes to first, second and third-placed finishers worth Tk 3,000, Tk 2,000 and Tk 1,000 in each of the 33 events. The federation has an estimated budget of Tk 19 lakh, which will be spent from its own coffers as it failed to get any sponsor on board.

The meet will get underway without electronic timer and will be held on the worn out track of the BNS. Close to 450 athletes are expected to take part in the three-day meet.