South Africa World Cup 2010 Bay fans volunteer

Nelson Mandela Bay is on track to become one of the top suppliers of volunteers for the FIFA Soccer South Africa World Cup 2010, having already delivered more potential recruits than far larger host cities like Cape Town and Durban.

The Bay has more than 6000 eager potential recruits so far – the third highest after Johannesburg and Pretoria.

According to statistics from the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee, 6245 Bay residents have applied to become volunteers to ensure everything runs smoothly when the world’s eyes are fixed on South Africa in June.

The applicants are all willing to give up their time and skills to serve their country in making the South Africa World Cup 2010 a success.

Johannesburg and Pretoria have just over 7000 applicants each and nationally 55621 potential volunteers have applied.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup volunteer programme started on July 20 when the Organising Committee (OC) began the process of looking for the 15000 volunteers required for the tournament.

The programme is a global initiative with 70% of the volunteers from South Africa, 20% from Africa and 10% from the rest of the world.

The application period ends on Monday and thereafter the OC volunteer department will process the applications.

It will conduct interviews with the approved applicants in January and February next year.

The successful volunteers chosen will undergo extensive training in March and April next year in all nine host cities.

As is the case with volunteer programmes around the world, 2010 volunteers will not be paid a salary, but will receive a stipend on the days they are operational to cover possible expenses.

Volunteers will be asked during the application process to choose the functional area they feel best suits their skills. The 16 areas include accreditation, administration, environmental services, welcome and information services, information technology and telecommunication, language support, rights protection, logistic services, marketing, media volunteers, protocol services, spectator services, ticketing, transportation, hospitality and ushering, volunteer management.

Anyone aged 18 or older on March 1 next year and who has a good command of English can apply to be a volunteer. Application forms are available at: www.fifa.com/volunteers2010.

Baron said the following registration points were open from 8 am to 6 pm in the Bay:

KwaNobuhle Library, Elukhanyisweni Library, Kabah Langa Community Hall, Uitenhage Town Library, Allanridge Library, Despatch Library, KwaDwesi Library, Booysens Park Library, Chatty Library, Korsten Library, KwaMagxaki Library, KwaZakhele Library, Linton Grange Library, Motherwell Library, Newton Park Library, New Brighton Library, North End Library, Walmer Town Hall, West End Library, Zwide Library, Zwide Library, George Botha Community Centre, Motherwell NU30 Community Hall, Kuyga Community Hall, Colchester Community Hall, Algoa Park Library, Seaview Community Hall, Njoli Square, Umsobomvu Youth Fund roving in Motherwell, Rocklands and St Albans.

Source: weekendpost.co.za