Eight more new national records were set on the third day of the four-day 19th National Swimming Championships yesterday at the National Swimming Complex in Mirpur.

With these a total of 18 new records have been set in 24 events decided so far. However, these marks have hardly any bearing as the timings are being counted manually since no electronic timing devises are available.

Many have smelt something else about the flurry of records. According to them an announcement by the State Minister for Youth and Sports Fazlur Rahman made on the opening day might have inspired the swimmers to perform better.

The Minister announced, any swimmer breaking a national record would get a cash award of Tk 20,000 while anybody setting a new SAF record would be richer by Tk 50,000.

Yesterday, the new records were set by Merina Akhter of BJMC, Dolly Akhter of BJMC, Karar Samedul Islam of Navy, Mahfuza Akhter of BKSP, Rubel Rana of Navy and Kamala Akher of Ansars. The remaining two records were set in men's and women's team relay events.

Merina set the record in 800m freestyle, Dolly in 50m butterfly, Samedul in 50m breaststroke, Mahfuza in 50m backstroke, Rubel in 200m backstroke and Kamala in 200m backstroke.

Bangladesh Amry team won the men's 4x100m relay while BJMC won the women's 4x100m relay with new records.