Third phase ends today

The nationwide swimmers' talent hunt programme titled 'Bangladesh in search of the best swimmer', organised by the Bangladesh Swimming Federation (BSF) in financial and technical association with Bangladesh Navy, will come to an end today at the Navy headquarters in Banani.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to attend the programme to distribute the prize money among the winners in nine events to bring an end to the third phase of the programme, which started on February 1, with 129 swimmers including 37 female swimmers selected for the fourth phase.

The ambitious programme generated huge enthusiasm among the potential swimmers last year as hundreds of participants turned up at each of the venues in 64 districts. The first phase was held over 120 days across the country with the participation of 13,000 swimmers. Later, some 1275 swimmers were picked for different age groups (Under 11 to 12, Under 13 and 14, Under 15 to 17 and Over 17 to 20) over a four-month period.

Nine local coaches under the guidance of Korean coach Park Tae Gun conducted a four-day basic training to those selected swimmers in October last year before trimming the number to 129, who were later given four months' training for grooming.

Now, some 60 swimmers will be finalised for the fourth and final phase. The BSF will provide them three-year training for international competitions.