BSF dreams big with swimmer Samiul

Promising swimmers Samiul Islam Rafi and Any Akter have been selected for the World Aquatics Championships after Bangladesh Swimming Federation (BSF) sent the entries of the two to FINA on Wednesday.

The World Aquatics Championships is scheduled to take place in Singapore from July 11 to August 3, with Samiul taking part in 50m and 100m backstroke events and Any competing in 50m and 100m freestyle events.

Samiul has been training in Thailand since August 2023 under FINA scholarship which will come to an end in August. He has been selected ahead of Kajal Miah as BSF wants to retain the FINA scholarship for Samiul, who had set three national records in the last national swimming championships in November, 2024.

"Kajal Miah was also in consideration but Rafi was given priority because FINA allocates scholarship among those who participate in World Aquatics Championships," BSF general secretary Mahbbur Rahman Shahin said. "We have a big dream with Samiul in the upcoming SA Games, so we want him to continue advanced training in Thailand under new FINA scholarship."

Mahbubur informed that four female swimmers were in consideration but Any was ahead of the others. Sonia Akter Rumpa is at the fag end of her career while promising swimmer Juthi Akter was not considered after her marriage. Another promising swimmer, Poly Akter, was not considered due to her age as swimmers participating in World Aquatics Championships must be between 18 and 26.

"As there is chance to get FINA scholarship through participation in World Aquatics Championships, we actually wanted to choose those who can serve Bangladesh in the next 10 years," said Shahin.