Singapore will play host to the inaugural International Skating Union (ISU) World Development Trophy next month, holding the short-track speed skating segment of the two-leg competition.

The April 9-13 event will take place at The Rink at JCube, Singapore's only Olympic-sized ice rink. Manila will host the second leg, which focuses on figure skating, from April 16-20.

The Singapore event will feature 40 youth skaters, aged 11-18, from eight countries including South Africa, Uzbekistan and India. They will compete in the individual 500m and 1,000m events, while some will also take part in the 2,000m mixed relay. Singapore is fielding 10 skaters.

The aim of the competition is to help talented young skaters in countries identified by the ISU to have potential in skating develop.

Said Singapore Ice Skating Association president Sonja Chong: "We are honoured that the ISU has put its trust in its newest short-track member nation to host this inaugural development competition.

"This highlights that the ISU believes our region has strong potential for growth, even though short-track speed skating is new to the region."