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Saturday, August 13, 2005
Volunteers make it happen - Akiko
A veteran of five Olympics, Akiko Thompson knows what she’s talking about.
“It is the volunteers who make it happen,” said Thompson on the country’s hosting of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games (Seag). “They are a critical part of every successful staging of the games.”
Thompson, who has competed in the Seoul, Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics, visited Cebu schools yesterday to drum up support for the Seag volunteer program.
Cebu games
National Youth Commission’s Raul Dominic Badilla, who is helping the volunteer program, said 15,000 volunteers are needed, including 4,000 in Cebu.
Cebu City will host pencak silat, dancesport and sepak takraw; Mandaue will host judo and karatedo and Danao City will host mountainbiking.
“Not all of us can experience what it’s like to be in the SEA Games, but by being a volunteer, this is a chance for them to be part of something very important,” said Thompson, who coached in the Sydney Olympics and volunteered to help the RP contingent to the Athens Olympiad last year.
“I wanted to be there (Athens), in the birthplace of the Olympics, so I volunteered,” said Thompson, “Yes, it is a sacrifice, but you get so much in return.”
Those interested may download the form at www.2005seagames.com.ph, send an e-mail to volunteer@youth.net.ph. or look for the user name SEA Games at the friendster website.
Cebu volunteers may contact the Cebu Seag Organizing Committee at 255-0090 and look for Allan Torrevillas.
To help the volunteers, PhilSoc is negotiating with the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Education to exempt them from classes. For the young professionals, they are also working on exemptions from company work. (ML)
(August 13, 2005 issue)
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