She is a champ, thanks to her mother

Alfarsi said through sports, children like Lamia can help break stereotypes.

Dubai - Tariq, the youngest Emirati to compete professionally in rhythmic gymnastics already has a list of triumphs in different competitions.

Going through intense amount of gymnastics training daily isn't easy for a six-year-old.
But for Malak Alfarsi, mother of little Emirati Lamia Tariq, the struggle she is going through is minimal to what the girl has already achieved and is about to achieve.
Tariq, the youngest Emirati to compete professionally in rhythmic gymnastics already has a list of triumphs in different competitions. She is the youngest and only Emirati ambassador chosen to lead the Dubai Women's Run, which will be held on November 17, who is also the hopeful of an Olympic gold for the UAE. 
"Children, whether male or female, should represent their country in one way or another. With sports not widely acknowledged within the Emirati women community yet, I'm sure children like Lamia can help change this," said Alfarsi.
Training since she was five, little Tariq juggles studies with 20 hours of intense training every week at the Dubai Youth Olympic School. Alfarsi said through sports, children like Lamia can help break stereotypes and contribute to representing their countries in different walks of life. While the world continues to witness what Emirati women achieve, Alfarsi said there's so much more that can be done.
"I think the world views us today with an open mind. I don't think they presume we don't have rights because we have our ministers who made international headlines and successful CEOs who reached new heights. People accept that all Emirati women can be exactly like any other woman, or man, for that matter," said Alfarsi.
She added that female children have an active role to play in representing their societies, which will carry the leadership's message. They have their role models in the government that they will aspire to become.
"The Emirati women we see in the cabinet are all young and educated role models who have to make such large decisions for our country. Our children will grow up into being women like that," said Alfarsi.
She added while rulers encourage women empowerment, it is the woman's role to achieve success to help the government understand that what they're doing is right. "We have established women in all walks of life, but in sports there's a little hindrance and we should encourage our children to make breakthroughs," she said.
With Dubai Women's Run sponsoring Tariq's training, Alfarsi said it says a lot about the supportive community that supports Emirati children to achieve what they want and help them train harder and get into international competitions. 

Fighting stereotypes and criticism