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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 31 Aug 2008 Title: Applications for Confederations Cup volunteers close -------------------- Johannesburg - The volunteer application process for the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 closed this weekend with almost 35 000 applications received. South Africa has responded "phenomenally" since the applications for volunteers for the 2009 Confederations Cup opened on 1 July. According to a statement from the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee Communication Department, people were interested in volunteering because they wanted to be part of the first major FIFA event in South Africa and for the chance to write their names in the history books. Johannesburg residents led the pack with 16 236 volunteer applications, followed by Rustenburg with 6 580 applications, Mangaung/Bloemfontein with 6 489 applications and Pretoria with 5 416 applications. The Local Organising Committee received numerous queries from Germany, Brazil, USA, Ghana and Australia, showing the worldwide interest in the Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup However, the application process was restricted to South African residents. Billed as the 'festival of the champions' the Confederations Cup pits the champions of the six FIFA Confederations, reigning world champions and next FIFA World Cup hosts against each other. The 16-match tournament will take place from 14 June to 28 June 2009 at Ellis Park, Loftus Versfeld, Free State Stadium and Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in the four South African host cities. Danny Jordaan, the Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa said: "We are humbled and greatly encouraged by the incredible response from South African residents who have responded to our call for volunteers for the Confederations Cup. "The wonderful response to the volunteer application process shows that our people are enthusiastic about playing their part and getting involved in the success of the Confederations Cup and the world cup and that they are ready to take the baton from the Beijing Olympics." He said after the Beijing Olympics the world's attention shifted to South Africa and its preparations towards hosting these events. Mr Jordaan said the volunteer process provides an ideal opportunity for South Africans to open their arms and to embrace the world A total of 4 030 volunteers will be required in the four Confederations Cup host cities to assist in operational areas such as accreditation, administration, information technology, language support, logistics, transport, information services, media and marketing etc during the tournament. All submitted applications will now go through a pre-selection and selection process during the period from September to November 2008. All successful applicants will be contacted in order to attend volunteer interviews. If the 2010 OC Volunteer Programme has not contacted an applicant who has applied by the end of November 2008, it will therefore mean that the application was not successful. For the volunteers, the Confederations Cup will be a unique opportunity to meet people from at least seven different countries during a once in a lifetime opportunity to work on an event of this scale. Volunteers will receive their own event specific volunteer uniforms and specialised event training and for their hard work, a certificate of acknowledgement and an unforgettable life experience, said the organising committee. While volunteers will not be guaranteed a place as a volunteer for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, it would certainly be advantageous to have previously worked at a FIFA event. - BuaNews |
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