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PREPARING SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE WORLD |
The Department of Sports and Recreation has put aside R25 million to be used for the training of volunteers for the 2010 World Cup. The Local Organising Committee will need 5 000 volunteers for the 2009 Confederations Cup and 15 000 for the World Cup. Tim Modise, LOC Communications Director says they will play a key role in ensuring the success of the tournament. Project 2010 asked him…  Are you on track with your preparations for the volunteer programmes for next year's Confederations Cup and 2010? Yes, we are very much on track. Our concept and plans are in place and we are now eagerly awaiting our registration launch on July 1, 2008 to begin recruiting volunteers for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009. Will you be recruiting specialised volunteers such as medical personnel, translators and IT experts? We will recruit specialist IT & T, translators and media volunteers, possibly medical as well, but this has not been confirmed as yet. What role do you see South Africa's disabled playing in the volunteer programme? Like all South Africans they can certainly apply, as they are more than capable and the 2010 volunteer programme is definitely open to them. What measures will you have in place to ensure that volunteers will be properly screened to ensure they do not pose a security risk? We are working with security agencies to vet prospective volunteers and they will undergo a screening process before being accepted as volunteers. How do you think the volunteer programme will contribute to the 2010 legacy for South Africa? What volunteers will experience and what they will learn while being part of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 and 2010 FIFA World Cup will generate lasting memories for the volunteers and give them the experience of working firsthand on a major international event. Another legacy is the fact the this event gives an opportunity for thousands of South Africans to actively participate in their country's hosting of the FIFA World Cup, which is the largest sporting event in the world. The training programme is such that it will enhance the volunteers' ability and knowledge not just of the sport, but also of the event, our nation and the continent. The volunteers will be working with people from across the globe and will be experiencing new cultures, not only from spectators, but also their fellow volunteers, many of whom will come from the rest of Africa and the rest of the world. This is a legacy that will stay with the volunteers for life as this event will go down in history and they would have been an integral part of it. more interviews... |
