Volunteers to boost Shenzhen sporting event

By Chen Hong (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-26 07:34

Yan Guohua (left), vice-chairman of the Federation of University Sport of China, hands over the flag to Peking University student Ni Yun at the ceremony on Saturday.

The southern city of Shenzhen has launched a volunteer recruitment drive for its hosting of the 26th Summer Universiade in 2011, a multi-sport event that will see about 15,000 athletes, coaches and sports officials from more than 180 countries and regions attending.

"In order to ensure that our Universiade will be most spectacular, we are going to organize a high-caliber team of volunteers who will provide good services while promoting the image of Chinese university students," said Liang Daoxing, vice-mayor of Shenzhen and chairman of the executive office of the organizing committee of the 26th Summer Universiade, on Sunday.

Liang made the remarks at an event to publicize the 2011 Universiade and showcase the city's economic and social achievements over the past 28 years.

"Our image ambassadors and volunteers will dedicate themselves to promoting and serving Universiade Shenzhen and set up good examples to encourage more people, especially youngsters, to work for the Universiade as volunteers," Liang said.

The Universiade will look to the success of the just-concluded Beijing Olympics and learn from the volunteer process of the Games, Liang said.

The 2011 event aims to recruit four types of volunteers from across the globe. Candidates should be born before June 30, 1993, abide by Chinese laws and know foreign languages.

The first type of volunteer will be tasked with cultural promotion, conveying the cultural philosophy of Universiade Shenzhen, maintaining social order, improving the urban environment, advocating civil behavior and promoting social harmony before and during the event.

The second type of volunteer will help with preparations for the Universiade and participate in routine work or special activities, as well as work for the executive office of the organizers prior to the event.

The third type of volunteer will be responsible for accepting registration and issuing athletes their identity cards, among other tasks.

The fourth type of volunteer will serve the city as a whole in marked out duties.

Applications for the first two types of volunteers will be accepted starting from September. The other two types of volunteers will be recruited next year.

Applicants can visit www.sz2011.org for more information.

He Tao, a Peking University student and representative of the China University Campus Media Alliance, said his organization would give full support to the event.

"Universiade Shenzhen is an event belonging to university students around the world. I am representing Chinese university students, to tell the world that we are ready for 2011," He said.

More than an arena for university athletes to compete in sports, the event is also a stage for students from the world over to get together, build friendships, exchange information and ideas, and enjoy the Universiade principles of of friendship, love, fairness, fortitude, honesty and collaboration, He said.

The organization, representing 63 universities and poised for growth in the coming years, will visit Shenzhen before the end of this year to understand preparations for the Universiade and give wide coverage on campus media, he said.

Peking University student Ni Yun has taken over the flag from Yan Guohua, vice-chairman of the Federation of University Sport of China (FUSC), to help Shenzhen build its volunteer system.

"Our university students have actively taken part in the Beijing Olympics as volunteers and I hope we can contribute to Universiade Shenzhen in the coming years," Ni said.

Month-long activities co-sponsored by FUSC, the executive office of the Organizing Committee for the 26th Summer Universiade and the information office of the Shenzhen municipal government has reportedly attracted numerous residents and visitors in Beijing.

Musician Orquesta La Palabra was one of the visitors to the recent event promoting the Universiade. He composed the song I am going to Shenzhen and submitted his album to the vice-mayor.

The Cuban singer had performed with his five-person band in a bar in Shenzhen for seven weeks in 2002 and was deeply impressed by the city.

"It was my first time in China and I fell in love with Shenzhen at first sight. It was just like a new baby who has been growing up fast and is full of energy. People there are very friendly," he said.

"The song is very popular when I sing it at different places in the world," the musician said, adding that he hopes to contribute to the Universiade and visit the city again.

(China Daily 08/26/2008 page10)