Bangladesh Athletics Federation organised the national meet on the occasion of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

M Ismail Hossain of Bangladesh Navy retained the country's fastest man crown with a timing of 10.55 seconds while Shirin Akhter, also from Navy, clinched the fastest woman crown for the 11th time in a row in the national and summer athletics with a timing of 11.8 seconds.

Besides, Ritu Akhter of Bangladesh Army made the day's lone new national record in women's high jump, jumping a height of 1.7 meters to better previous national mark of 1.68 meters achieved by Umme Hafsa Rumki of Bangladesh Jail in 2019.

Ritu Akhter of Bangladesh Army set a new national record in high jump. Photo: Courtesy

Although the competition began on Friday, State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russell will inaugurate the meet on Saturday afternoon.

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Nur Taposh will be the chief guest at the closing function on Sunday.

Twelve events were decided on the first day.

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Bangladesh Navy dominated the meet with six gold, four silver and six bronze medals while Bangladesh Army followed with four gold, eight silver and six bronze.

Some 438 male and female athletes from 34 districts and divisions, four universities, one education board and 45 organisations including Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force, Ansar & VDP and Jail are competing in 36 events – 22 for the men and 14 for the women.

Athletics Federation will award top three athletes of all the 36 events of the meet alongside national record-breaking athletes.

The champion will get a prize money Tk 3,000, runner-up Tk 2,000 and 3rd place holder Tk 1,000 while the national record holder athlete will receive Tk 5,000.