Rangamati, Nov 01 (V7N) – Thirty swimmers successfully completed a 13.5-kilometre open-water swimming challenge in Kaptai Lake during a competition organised by the Rangamati district administration on Saturday.

The second edition of the “Sublong Channel Swimming Competition” was held in the Sublong Channel, with 32 swimmers from different parts of Bangladesh, including two women, taking part. Thirty of them completed the designated distance.

The event began with participants travelling by motorboat from Shahid Minar Ghat in Rangamati town to Sublong Bazar in the morning. After preparations and warm-up exercises, the swimmers entered the lake together and began their journey from Sublong Bazar towards Shahid Minar Ghat.

Surrounded by towering hills and the vast blue waters of Kaptai Lake, the swimmers faced a demanding test of physical fitness, endurance and mental strength. They had to overcome fatigue after spending an extended period in the water before reaching the finishing point one after another.

Organisers said the competition was intended not only to identify winners but also to discover talented swimmers from across the country, encourage young people to take up swimming and raise awareness about drowning prevention and the importance of learning to swim.

Participants described the long-distance swim in the natural setting of Kaptai Lake as a unique experience. They said holding such events regularly could increase young people's interest in swimming and create opportunities for emerging talent.

At an award ceremony held at the Shahid Minar premises around noon, the winners received their prizes. Rabbi secured first place, Mehedi finished second and Nayan came third.

Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi said the district administration had organised the event to help overcome public fear of swimming and identify talented swimmers from different parts of the country.

According to the organisers, 40 swimmers had registered for the competition, but 32 eventually took part. Of those, 30 successfully completed the 13.5-kilometre course.

The event highlighted the sporting potential of Kaptai Lake, combining a test of endurance with the natural beauty of Rangamati's hill landscape.

END/AMR/SMA/