Zimbabwe to benefit from World Cup by sending volunteers

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By SARAH NCUBE

Published: July 28, 2009

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ZIMBABWE – HARARE – ZIFA will soon be launching an official package for local volunteers for the FIFA 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa. Reports The Zimbabwe Telegraph.

A senior official of the South African Local Organising Committee’s (LOC’s) Volunteer Programme announced last week that the search for 15000 volunteers had begun and ZIFA has taken the opportunity put up a package in line with the programme for Zimbabweans wishing to give their time and expertise to ensure success for Africa’s maiden World Cup.

Speaking at the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the ZIFA Bulawayo Province Administrator’s Course at a local hotel last week, the soccer mother body’s marketing and development manager, Jonathan Mashingaidze said his organisation would work closely with the LOC in South Africa in the programme.

“What we are doing as ZIFA is to formally put together a package in terms of volunteer policy, volunteer identification, recruitment, training and placement programmes. We will be working closely with the LOC in South Africa in terms of volunteer areas which by and large revolve around Information Technology (IT), transport, catering, accommodation, protocol and security, entertainment, guest hospitality, marketing, accreditation, technical as in training of marshals,” Mashingaidze said.

The ZIFA official said although they were yet to receive a formal invitation from South Africa they will take full advantage of the facility because of Zimbabwe’s proximity to South Africa.

“We have not received an invitation as yet but as a neighbour we should exploit this facility given our geographical location, our cultural links, historical links as well as our competences in terms of event management,” Mashingaidze said.

Mashingaidze cited ZIFA’s proficiency in event management arguing that: “During the 1995 All Africa Games held in Zimbabwe, football provided the biggest number of volunteers. As part of the build up to 2010 were going to put in place machinery for volunteers who are going to render services at COSAFA, which will be the biggest event in our region ahead of the World Cup.”

Zimbabwe will host this year’s version of COSAFA later this year.

Source: The Zim Telegraph