The unveiling of the uniform of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 volunteers was among the highlights of a dazzling orientation event held at Lusail Stadium on Friday.
An incredibly motivated group of more than 16,000 volunteers, joined by thousands who followed online from around the world, gathered at the stadium for the official orientation event – a festive ceremony featuring football legends and 2022 FIFA World Cup top brass.
The event-filled evening was aimed at building a greater sense of community and helping everyone become more familiar with their respective activities across 45 different functional roles by giving them a glimpse of the challenges and rewards in store.
The largest of the host venues for the upcoming FIFA World Cup served as a fitting backdrop for this important milestone gathering, which marked the first time that all selected volunteers were assembled together for the formal start of their training journey and a momentous opportunity to reflect on the road ahead.
Over the course of the evening, the full scope of the volunteer journey was delivered through entertaining video presentations which included an introduction to the e-learning platform where volunteers receive general subject training in topics such as sustainability, cultural awareness and customer services in order to better perform their basic service role. Through the new platform, volunteers will have access to a key informational resource and e-learning modules that allow them to prepare themselves for their roles at their own convenience and regardless of locale, for the many volunteers arriving from abroad.
For the next stages of their journey, volunteers will start their general and role-specific training online and venue training at the actual sites where they will be based and perform their roles.
The in-person venue-specific training is one of the final stages, which gives volunteers a hands-on taste of the tasks they will be performing in the actual venues where they will be assigned.
The regularly updated portal will continue to serve as a knowledge and operational resource with refreshers and tips on maintaining health and well-being.
Yasir al-Jamal, director-general of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), opened the event, welcoming the assembled volunteers and thanking them for their significant contribution to the incredible fan experience ahead, and overall success of the World Cup.
FIFA’s chief operating officer – World Cup and managing director for Q22, Colin Smith, struck a note of gratitude and inclusivity, saying: “Volunteers are our true heartbeat because their passion and selfless devotion sustain everything we do.”
“That’s the common thread that unites 20,000 volunteers, irrespective of nationality, culture, age, gender and experience,” he said. “It’s through their efforts that the FIFA World Cup in Qatar can be considered the most inclusive ever and will connect people from all cultures and backgrounds through the game of football.”
A much-anticipated highlight of the evening was the official volunteer uniform reveal, which garnered cheers from the appreciative crowd.
Styled in the signature volunteer colours of black, white, mint and purple, the adidas-designed outfits bear the brand’s triple-stripe detail and a distinctive heart logo design to represent the volunteer spirit.
Volunteers are fitted from top to bottom with a full wardrobe of caps, long and short sleeve tops, jackets, pants, socks and shoes, plus optional head scarves for female volunteers.
The event’s upbeat atmosphere was led by celebrity hosts Abood Afro and Anshou Jain, mixing dance performances and video highlight reels with messages of encouragement from English football superstar David Beckham and Australia’s top FIFA World Cup scorer, former Aussie national Tim Cahill.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC chief executive Nasser al-Khater appeared on stage with Smith to answer questions about the significance and wider impact of such a massive volunteer campaign.
“We hope first that each volunteer will have gained valuable skills, experiences and friendships that will enrich their lives and just make them better, happier, more confident people, regardless of their continued path,” al-Khater said.
“This is a fine legacy for any nation,” he said. “From the macro-view, I’m confident that societies will start to embrace a wider culture of volunteerism as an expression of both national pride and self-betterment, as it’s something which also aligns with our traditional values of honour and generosity.”
Volunteer Strategy manager Nasser al-Mogaiseeb shared praise for the critical stakeholders involved in supporting the volunteer programme.
“The outstanding quality and sheer volume of our volunteer programme would have been unthinkable without the abiding support of all our critical volunteer stakeholders, who represent the true pillars of community volunteerism in Qatar,” he said.
“Over the past year, our joint Volunteer Legacy Group has provided essential help in spreading awareness, training and recruitment of volunteers through the combined resource networks of Qatar Foundation, Qatar Voluntary Centre, Qatar Museums, Qatar Charity, Qatar Olympic Committee, Qatar Red Crescent Society, Education Above All Foundation, Tomoh, Nama, Qatar University and Qatar Football Association,” al-Mogaiseeb said. “They have contributed to the generous team behind our team of valued volunteers.”
One of the volunteers, Rishon Tom Mathew from India, told Gulf Times that he is excited and raring to take part in the volunteering activities.
“I just completed school, and am planning to go for higher studies in January next year,” he said, adding: “I just landed on Friday after cutting short my vacation to take part in the programme.”
“I have a few months to spare, and this is a wonderful opportunity for me to take part in some very creative and exciting events,” Mathew said. “This will be a great milestone in my life and I am raring to go and get involved in the activities. This is a dream come true for me.”
Areeba Faisal from Pakistan, a 19-year old volunteer and “Ruwaad Pioneer”, said: “When I saw the uniform and the colour combination, I took a minute to look at everything because the design was so cool! The fact that they thought of making a ‘hijab’ is amazing, simply because it’s convenient to have all of it matching and I really appreciate it.”
Eric Apedo, 29, from Ghana felt the evening’s programme made him prouder and more prepared for his upcoming role as an accreditation volunteer.
“I’m (feeling) emotional, thinking about where I’ve come from, the friends I’ve made, and my responsibility working the final match of the FIFA World Cup right here in Lusail Stadium,” he said. “But one of the messages from today is to be yourself, because we all have something unique to offer.”
“So, I feel confident. And the fact that I’m here with all these people who love football and who love volunteering, I feel we are a big community with one heart,” Apedo added.
The event included dance and music presentations.
