A pair of Emirati young swimmers, Ahmed Abdulla Al Hashmi and Abdulla Al Hammadi, are getting an early taste of international competition as they are set to take part in the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup leg in Beijing on Tuesday.

Al Hashmi, 13, and Al Hammadi, 15,  are amongst the youngest swimmers taking the plunge in Beijing (September 29-30).

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The duo made their World Cup debut in Hong Kong last week as the UAE Swimming Federation hope to prepare them for major international meets in the future.

Al Nasr Club swimmer, Al Hammadi, will contest three freestyle events, the 50m, 100m and 200m while Al Ain Club’s Al Hashmi will line up for the 50m, 100m, 200m breaststroke and the 200m individual medley.

“The federation chose young swimmers like Ahmed and Abdulla to compete in these World Cup legs and be present in such international meets so they can get accustomed to swimming in world-class events from a young age,” said swimming coach Abdulla Subait, who is accompanying the pair in China.

“This will provide a lot of motivation for them to try and clock faster times in the future. It’s all part of the federation’s strategy of driving youth swimming in the country.

“Just mixing with such top-class swimmers in the World Cup series will help them deal with the intimidation factor. They will also try to clock personal best times as well as new national records for the UAE.”

Al Hashmi will be in the same heat as Olympic champion Cameron Van Der Burgh of South Africa in the 50m breaststroke.

The FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup series will conclude in Dubai with its final leg scheduled to take place on November 6-7.