Swimmers left high and dry over prize money

35th National Swimming, Diving, and Water Polo Competition kicks off on Tuesday at Mirpur's National Swimming Complex, though scrapped medal bonuses have cast a shadow over the four-day meet.

Around 470 male and 102 female athletes from 74 teams will contest 49 events. However, at a press conference at the BOA auditorium on Tuesday, the Bangladesh Swimming Federation confirmed that regular cash prizes, previously 2,000 taka for gold, 1,000 for silver, and 500 for bronze have been dropped.

General secretary Syed Aminul Haque Dewan Sajal dodged questions about the cuts, instead highlighting a familiar incentive: "We have arranged a 5,000 taka reward to inspire record-breakers." However, this bonus was already in place last year, offering nothing new.

Following World Aquatics rules, the 42 swimming events include recent additions like the men's 800m, women's 1500m freestyle, and 4x100m mixed relays. The schedule also features six diving events, three for men and three for women, water polo, and an exhibition for disabled swimmers.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque will officially open the games at 3:00pm on Wednesday. Navy chief Admiral Khondkar Misbah-ul-Azim, MP Rezaul Karim Badsha, and federation vice-president Engineer Mohammed Alamgir will also attend, ahead of the closing ceremony on Saturday, 31 October.