Malta will be represented in the 2014 FINA World Short Course Championship to be held in Doha, Qatar, between December 3 and 7.

The Maltese team will consist of four Neptunes WPSC swimmers, Julian Harding, Neil and Nicola Muscat and Raoul Stafrace, and Matthew Zammit of Sirens ASC.

About 900 swimmers coming from all the continents, some of them top exponents of the sport, will compete in 34 individual and 12 relay events at the Hamad Aquatic Complex where a total of 138 medals will be at stake.

The championship should be an autumn showdown held biennially and leading up to the summer season where races will be in the longer 50-metre pool.

For the Maltese swimmers the championship will be a very useful experience and an opportunity to improve their personal bests over short course distances and consequently break some national records.

Recently, each of the five swimmers were presented with an official letter from the ASA Swimming Board congratulating them for being selected in this world event.

Youth event

Meanwhile, FINA are for the first time organising a youth programme during this world event.

This is aimed at inspiring young and talented swimmers to become the stars of tomorrow.

The ASA was informed that the world swimming body has selected upcoming Neptunes swimmer, Amy Micallef, to attend this programme which will provide a useful insight of the latest trends and techniques of this sport. This should raise the level of all participants.

The youth programme activities will comprise lectures, workshops in sport science and matters on technical and training issues. The participants will also be able to attend the finals.