Volunteers' legacy to continue after Asiad

Volunteers are a key part of the success of the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou. Jia Guorong / China News Service

GUANGZHOU - The Asian Games volunteers are laying a foundation for voluntary work in Guangzhou after the event, said an organizing committee official.

"We will retain the outstanding volunteers and are working on a plan for post-Games voluntary work in the city," said Wei Guohua, a deputy chief for voluntary work, at a press conference on Tuesday.

More than 6,000 games and 50,000 city volunteers are working during the event in areas such as language service, security, medical care and traffic guidance, under the slogan "Together we can make it better", said Wang Huanqing, the chief of the volunteers.

Selected from 1.5 million candidates, they come mostly from universities, but also include 900 from other provinces and abroad.

They work in communities and 600 volunteer stations across the city.

In language service, 3,000 volunteers translate eight foreign languages, and call-in help is also available.

The games' organizing committee invented a "volunteer point" program to evaluate the performance of the volunteers, based on the time and efficiency of their work.

Under the program, outstanding volunteers will be rewarded.

Designed for administrative and motivational purposes, it will help in the research of voluntary work and will be carried on after the Games, Wei said.

Zheng Xingyi, a sophomore from Guangzhou who provides shuttle bus information to guests in the Main Press Center, said she works eight hours a day, with a day off after every two work days.

"It is fun to meet so many people from other parts of the world," Zheng said.

The volunteers' work has been recognized by officials of international sports organizations.

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge wrote down: "Thanks to the great volunteers".

Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said in his speech at the Games' opening ceremony: "Your smiling is the name card of Guangzhou. I would like to express my special thanks to the many unselfish volunteers that have given their time and efforts to this endeavor. It is your hard work, dedication and participation that will ensure the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games are a success."

In support of the volunteers, the organizing committee provides them uniforms, food and drinks, transportation and insurance free of charge, but there is no cash subsidy.

A call center is in place to provide the volunteers with work guidance and psychological counseling, and mobile phone text messages are available for weather forecasts and work situations.

China Daily

(China Daily 11/17/2010 page30)