Eight young Malaysian swimmers aged 12-15 enjoyed exclusive training sessions with Ben Proud in Phuket, Thailand

Eight young Malaysian swimming talents experienced an once-in-a-lifetime two-days exclusive training with Olympian Ben Proud and his elite coaches at Phuket, Thailand as the AirAsia presents Ben Proud's Talent Pool programme draws to a close this year.

This annual talent development programme is part of a four-year partnership between AirAsia and the British Olympian in support of his journey towards qualifying for Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan in 2020.

AirAsia's Regional Head of Branding Rudy Khaw said, "AirAsia is well known as a dream-enabler that has realised the dreams of millions to travel. We believe that dreams should always be pursued and we want to be a part of the journey that inspires young talents to strive and be future Olympic medallists through coaching clinics with World Champion athletes. This year we conducted swimming clinics with Ben Proud in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kota Kinabalu, where over 150 teenagers took part. From the sessions, eight were selected to join this exclusive training session in Phuket. We hope that the talents enjoyed this valuable 2-days intensive session with Ben Proud and get a dose of his Dare To Dream attitude to make it big in life."

Ben Proud said, "It has been an amazing first year working with AirAsia to nurture and develop talent amongst the Asean junior swimming community. All the participants in the program have impressed me with their dedication and determination, and I look forward to continuing this process over the next three years. This weekend has given the participants a real insight into professional preparation and the daily routine of a professional athlete."

"My mantra of 'Work hard in silence, let success be your noise ' is something I've used to focus myself during my swimming journey and I really hope this and the swimming clinics have inspired all that took part, as hard work and dedication are essential for whatever your dream destination might be."

The eight young Malaysian swimmers were selected from a pool of 150 local participants shortlisted by local swimming clubs and schools to join the previous coaching clinics held in Putrajaya, Penang and Kota Kinabalu. They were sent to Thanyapura, Phuket to undergo professional training led by the British Olympic medallist Ben Proud and coaches from AquaElite group - former Olympian Antony James and Malta National swimmer Matthew Zammit.

The 2-days intensive training camp include gym sessions to improve strength and body conditioning, classroom sessions focused on sports psychology and physiology, as well as swimming sessions to improve tactical aspects of competitive swimming.

Ben Proud makes up among the AirAsia athletes line-up under the #DARETODREAM campaign alongside national prides including track cyclists Azizulhasni Awang and Fatehah Mustapa as well as diver Leong Mun Yee. AirAsia is also working with promising bodybuilder athlete Faiz Ariffin and go-kart driver Muizzuddin Musyaffa, sponsorships of the AirAsia Malaysia Rugby League and AirAsia KL Junior League, with more plans for the campaign in the pipeline.

Follow AirAsia's Dream journey through the hashtag #daretodream or the latest AirAsia news and activities on Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia) and Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia).