38th Nat'l Age Based Swimming and Diving Championships set for splash-off tomorrow 

 
The curtain is set to rise on the 38th National Age Group Swimming and Diving Championships 2026, with around 550 swimmers from 80 teams preparing to compete at the Syed Nazrul Islam National Swimming Complex in Mirpur, Dhaka, from 11 to 14 July.

Organised by the Bangladesh Swimming Federation, the four-day meet will feature 106 medal events, 100 in swimming and six in diving, bringing together competitors from divisional and district sports associations, swimming clubs and BKSP. Including team and meet officials, nearly 770 participants are expected to attend.

The official opening ceremony will be held at 4:00 pm tomorrow, with State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque as the chief guest. Bangladesh Swimming Federation President and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, OSP, NPP, NDC, NCC, PSC, will attend as the special guest.  Swimmers are scheduled to report to the venue on 10 July at 2:00 pm.

Competitors will contest five age categories for boys and girls, Under-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-17 and 18-20. In a significant policy shift aimed at ensuring a level playing field, the federation has replaced medical age assessment with online birth registration verification to determine eligibility, addressing concerns over inconsistencies in previous editions.

Diving events, including the 1m springboard, 3m springboard and platform competition, will be staged in the complex's dedicated diving pool.

The championship carries a budget of Tk 40.75 lac. The federation will bear travel, accommodation and meal expenses for all participating teams except local teams and BKSP. Accommodation has been arranged at the swimming complex dormitory, residential hotels and Krira Palli-1 and Krira Palli-2.

Gold, silver and bronze medallists will receive cash prizes of Tk 3,000, Tk 2,000 and Tk 1,000, respectively. Team champions and runners-up will be awarded trophies, while the best male and female swimmers will also receive individual trophies and financial rewards. The closing ceremony and prize distribution are scheduled for 14 July at 4:00 pm, with Admiral M Nazmul Hassan presenting the awards.