The much-awaited first ever swimming talent-hunt programme begins today (Thursday) at Syed Nazrul Islam National Swimming Complex at Mirpur.
Bangladesh Navy, in association with the Bangladesh Swimming Federation, will start the swimming talent-hunt programme at Syed Nazrul Islam National Swimming Complex on May 19.
Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, MP, is expected to inaugurate the nationwide campaign titled ‘Bangladesh Looking for Best Swimmer.’
State Minister for Youth and Sports Sri Biren Sikder, MP, and Parliamentary Standing Committee’s chairman on Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel will be present as special guests on the occasion.
Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Mohammad Nizamuddin Ahmed will preside over the opening ceremony.
Around 25,000 swimmers will take part in this competition throughout the country.
The meet organizers are expecting to select potential swimmers from all 64 districts and 490 upazilas. Later, the best swimmers will be brought back to Dhaka and provided with a long term training programme.
There will be four age group Swimmers in the completion. They fall into the age group of 11-12, 13-15, 15-17 and above 18 without gender discrimination. The first part of selection procedure starts today (Thursday) and continue up to October 2, 2016.
In this first phase, 48 swimmers will be selected from each upazila. In the next phase, 10-20 comparatively advanced Swimmers will be listed from each district. In this process, 1,000 talented Swimmers will be selected and brought to Dhaka. In the first phase, 20 swimmers each will be given medals, certificates and cash money at the district level.
In the second phase of the selection procedure, 160 swimmers will be selected and provided extensive training under the supervision of a foreign trainer for three months. These 160 swimmers will also get medals, certificates and cash money on completion of 3 months training. Top 60
swimmers will be chosen from the 160.
In the final competition, 8 swimmers will be awarded with medals, certificates and 5 lakh each and the rest will also get pecuniary benefit. A budget of Taka 65 lac has been set aside for the whole competition.
It is expected that these 60 swimmers will emerge out as world class swimmers, who may bring name and fame for Bangladesh in international and regional events. With this view, the organizers will provide long term training and bear their expenses including their education.
