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FIFA Club World Cup organisers start UAE volunteer drive

ABU DHABI — Organisers of this year’s FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010 have teamed up with the Takatof Social Volunteer Programme once again to recruit volunteers to assist at the premier football event.

The FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010 brings together the club champions from six continental confederations: Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania, as well as the winning team from the host city’s national league. From December 8 to 18, teams will compete to be crowned champions over 11-days of action at Zayed Sports City and Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium. Five teams have already qualified for this year’s showpiece — Mexican club Pachuca FC will represent CONCACAF for the third time at the tournament, Papua New Guinea team Hekari United will fly the flag for OCEANIA, UEFA Champions FC Internazionale Milano will hope to continue Europe’s domination while CONMEBOL representatives, Brazil’s SC Internacional will aim to replicate its 2006 success when the team won the title while UFL champions Al Wahda will be the host nation representative. Asia and Africa will find out their representatives on November 13.

As part of the tournament legacy to leave a long and lasting impact in the community, tournament organisers have asked UAE nationals to register their details on www.takatof.ae for an opportunity to work at this year’s global football tournament. The Takatof participation comes in the framework of a partnership concluded with the local organizing committee of the tournament.

In 2009, more than 550 UAE nationals worked in a volunteer capacity at the FIFA Club World Cup in areas such as transport, accreditation, media, wayfinding and hosting.

Takatof will once again spearhead this year’s volunteer drive and will train all volunteers, giving them a chance to develop skills in areas they may want to potentially pursue as a career in the future.

John Lickrish, general manager for the local organising committee of the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010, said this tournament was an opportunity to inspire and engage the entire community. “It is part of our legacy to leave a long and lasting impact on individuals and the community,” he said.

“We’re trying to capture the imagination of the entire community and to encourage everyone to be part of this unique opportunity. We believe volunteers play a critical role in making an event successful and the Takatof Programme has helped train volunteers for many events locally. We are pleased to be working with them again this year,” Lickrish added. Maytha Al Habsi, executive director of the Takatof Programme, said she was looking forward to working with the organisers of this year’s FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010 following last year’s success.

At this year’s event, volunteers will be asked to work in areas such as transport, accreditation, marketing, media, wayfinding, hosts/hostesses and airport hosts. Full training is given as part of their roles. Those interested can visit the Takatof website www.takatof.ae for details.

Meanwhile, tickets for the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010 are on sale now. Fans can buy their tickets from www.FIFA.com/uae2010 or through the Call Centre on 800 FLASH (800 35274) or +971 4 366 22 88 for international purchase. For the first time in the UAE, barcode technology and e-tickets will be used for a sports event, making it easy for fans to choose, pay for and print their tickets.