Bangladesh Navy, in association with the Bangladesh Swimming Federation, launched a nationwide talent hunt programme in search of swimming talents that will get underway from May 19.
The hosts also decided to award lucrative prize money to the best swimmers in the different stages of the mega programme. The Bangladesh Swimming Federation president and chief of naval staff Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed said they will spend a major portion of the estimated budget for the swimmers’ prize money.
‘The programme will be held in three different phases and we will provide the prize money to the best swimmers in every stage,’ said Nizamuddin during a press conference at the Syed Nazrul Islam National Swimming Complex on Saturday.
‘A major portion of the estimated budget will be spent for the purpose of prize money.’
Around 25,000 swimmers will take part in the event and over one thousand swimmers will be picked for the next stage and it will gradually be trimmed down to 60 swimmers in final phase.
The hosts will provide Tk five lakh each to the best four male and female swimmers from four different age groups among best 60 swimmers.
Navy chief also said that they have already sought financial assistance from the government to run the programme smoothly.
‘S Alam Group, Max Group and Bangladesh Cricket Board are interested to sponsor the programme but we need at least Tk 5 to 7 crore for hosting the event successfully so we have asked financial support from government,’ said Nizamuddin.
‘We shared the matter with the prime minister who showed her interest to help us and gave her consent to be present in the closing ceremony, which will be held six months later.
‘I have also discussed the matter with BCB president Papon Bhai [Nazmul Hasan] and he said that BCB is ready to help us too.’
-With New Age input
