2 women among 40 cross Bangla Channel this year

This year 40 people, including two women, have crossed the Bangla Channel, a 16.1-kilometre-long swimming path in the Bay of Bengal.

Altogether 43 swimmers began their venture at 8:55am on Monday from Shah Porir Jetty in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar. With three of them failing, 40 swimmers managed to cross the channel and reached Saint Martin Island within 5pm.

Thirteen-year old Rabbi Rahman from Bogra became the youngest person from Bangladesh to cross the channel just within 3hrs and 20min, and secured the first place in the event.

Showroz Adventure and Extreme Bangla organized their 15th swimming event in the channel, with Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation and Bangladesh Tourism Board as co-organizers and Fortune brand from Bangladesh Edible Oil Limited as the primary sponsor.

Although the event was initially scheduled to take place in March this year, it was delayed due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, said Lipton Sarkar, chief executive officer of Showroz Adventure.

Lipton on Monday morning said: "International rules will be followed in the freestyle swimming event. A rescue boat will stay by the side of every swimmer for their safety. Other than that there will be service boats from Bangladesh Coast Guard, divers and additional emergency boats."

"Last year 31 swimmers participated in the event. In 2019, 67-year old Mizanur Rahman was the oldest person who successfully crossed the Bangla Channel. He is not participating in this year’s event," Lipton added.

Lipton Sarkar has himself crossed the channel 14 times and this year set a record by crossing the channel  for the 15th time.

Bangla Channel owes its importance to "Adventure Guru" late Quazi Hamidul Haque. Lipton, Fazlul Kabir and Salman Sayeed swam across the channel for the first time in 2006.