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It is an Olympic tradition to use volunteers to help organise and
conduct the Games. A tradition that has seen hundreds of
thousands of people, over centuries, exhibiting the true spirit of
such Games.
DAGOC is now well into the process of recruiting and training
volunteers, some of whom have already been tested in other events
– the mascot launch, Qatar Summer Wonders, and soon at the West
Asian Games (Dec 2005).
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| | The First Asian Games took place in New Delhi in 1951 and welcomed 11 countries participating in just 6 sports. Now, 55 years later, the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006 is expecting 45 countries who will participate in 39 competitive sports. The number of women athletes has been steadily rising over the years and Qatar expects around 2000 female athletes in 2006.
In the first, there were 11 participating countries and six competitive sports. In 2006, there will be 45 countries and 39 competitive sports.
The Asian Games have come a long way since 1951 to become the second largest sports event in the world after the Olympic Games, comprising half the world’s population.
Naif Al Malki, a 23 year old Qatari, speaking to Qatar Today, says that this is a chance of a lifetime.
“I registered last year, and did my first stint of volunteering at the mascot launch...,” he says. But that is only part of the story. The other part is that he skipped his TOEFL test as it clashed with his volunteering programme!
“I wasn’t sure, but I knew I didn’t want to miss that ceremony. It means a lot to Qatar,” says the youngster, who works fulltime at Occidental Petroleum.
“I have always liked to work in a team. To have a specific goal and work towards that. I have done work for Red Crescent. And now volunteering for the Games will be great, as I will get to meet people from across the world. I will be doing something totally different from the routine.”
And what is that one specific goal? “To provide good service to the people who will be coming here. To make them feel good about being here in Qatar, being part of this event.”
However, his enthusiasm is not something that all his friends and family understand. “They keep asking me why I am volunteering. Why I am spending so much time on something that doesn’t give me any money. And I try to explain to them that if money is the only factor that drives our actions, then there is little meaning to the life we live.”
Twenty-year old Zahra Hakmi, an Iranian born and brought-up in Qatar, says that this is the first real exposure she has had. She was a volunteer at the Asian Games stall in City Center during the Qatar Summer Wonders.
“I signed up last year, but my first stint was at the City Center stall. This was the first time I worked with people. I made friends. I learned to organise things. I learned teamwork. It is a great opportunity for women in particular to explore new avenues and gain experience. Especially if they are not able to work fulltime. Instead of being cooped up at home, I had an opportunity to seem some part of the world. And the Games will only provide a bigger opportunity,” she points out.
For Zahra, volunteering has to a large extent been about self-development. “I used to be so inhibited earlier. I didn’t know how to meet, talk and interact with people. During the West Asian Games, I will be involved in spectator service and that is going to be very exciting.”
DAGOC, Head of Promotion and Community Relations, Reem Al Khader says, “We will require a few thousand volunteers at least. Recruitment will go on for a few months more, and simultaneously we are carrying out orientation for those already recruited. A specific contractor has been roped in to do the training. There will be general, venue and specific training.”
The volunteers will set the standards of the Games, say Reem.
In Qatar, the volunteer demographics is bound to be interesting, as the population comprises more expatriates than nationals.
Yet, a majority of those who have registered are Qatari youngsters – all wanting to be a part of a momentous occasion. And in their case, word of mouth has worked far more effectively than other propaganda. Registered volunteers all too often manage to rope in friends and family too.
In July alone, 500 people registered on the net. Another 2000 registered during the Summer Wonders.
“We are not looking only at recruitment but also awareness. We want people to be curious. To know more about the games, about DAGOC, and we have managed to achieve that to an extent. We are now visiting schools, universities, expatriate communities and women’s groups to create awareness. We want to see more women involved.”
The volunteering programme is now looking forward to WAG. “It is a great opportunity to test our readiness. We will learn from this experience.”
Voicing the same thoughts as Naif Al Malki, Reem says that this will make people realise that sometimes you do things for the experience, not for the money. “It is not everyday that such an opportunity comes by. To be part of something as big as this. To give back to the community. It will not be just a job to be performed. It will be fun. It will be about building self esteem.”
Shadi, a 22-year old Jordanian IT professional, is a full-time volunteer. He actually works whole days, five days a week as a volunteer.
Also an expatriate who grew up in Qatar, Shadi feels that this definitely is the way he can contribute something to the country. “I am really excited to be a part of this. A few years ago, no one knew about Qatar. But now there is instant recall. And the Asian Games will only take this further.”
A joint symposium of IOC Olympic Studies Centre stressed that if one leaves out this selfless, supportive and effective contribution, the success of modern sport, in both its day-to-day form and the large scale of the modern Games, would be impossible to explain.
The symposium emphasised that the contribution of volunteers to the organisation of the Games has many aspects and dimensions, ranging from the more commonly recognised aspects – organisational support and provision of numerous services – to less obvious aspects. In particular, the symposium pointed out the high value of volunteering in economic and labour terms, providing a contribution that, according to various speakers, could even be compared with the main sources of Games financing.
The contribution of volunteers does not stop at providing services; it extends to the creation of cultural and social conditions that are essential to celebrate the Games
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This article is reproduced with special permission from Qatar Today - Qatar's only news, business and lifestyle magazine |
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