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Last Updated: Apr 25, 2017 - 6:16:22 PM |
Many volunteers consider it a national service
Organizers of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 are on the verge of pulling off the biggest tournament ever to be hosted in The Bahamas, but not without the help of many Bahamians who are giving of their time and expertise.
There are well over 200 Bahamian volunteers and many of them brand their charity as a national service.
The mega tournament runs from April 27 to May 7 at the National Beach Soccer Arena at Malcolm Park. It will feature 16 of the best beach soccer teams in the world.
Forty-two-year-old Denzil Sturrup said he has been volunteering for years as a means to give back to the country.
“It’s a great experience because you get to showcase the Bahamian people, and our hospitality,” Sturrup said. “So it’s not just about the county but the people itself. For those who haven’t heard much about us, we are more than sun, sand and see. We’re about our people and our culture. So, we get to share this with an international audience.
“Basically I’m a good will ambassador. I have been volunteering for so many different events over the past few years. I just did IAAF this past weekend. I’ve been doing it because it’s great for the country, especially a tourism country.”
Sturrup has been assigned to the VIP area. He considers it an honor to serve.
Stanley Forbes, 35, said he’s been volunteering at multiple sporting events since he was a boy but has yet to conquer such a huge tournament.
“So beach soccer was another sport on my list,” he said. “This event will bring more tourists to The Bahamas and we get more exposure to the world.”
Fans will get to see teams from The Bahamas; Switzerland; Ecuador; Senegal; Nigeria; Italy; Mexico; Paraguay; Portugal; Panama; Brazil; Tahiti; Poland; United Arab Emirates; Iran and Japan over the course of 10 days.
College student Megan Smith, 18, said the tournament comes at the perfect time when she’s on a break from school. She said she volunteered because of the opportunities it offers.
“This gives me the opportunity to work with people around the world and expose me to soccer, which is big in The Bahamas now,” Smith said.
Referring to the impact the tournament will have on the country, Smith added, “It puts The Bahamas on the map in many countries. It could potentially help to increase our tourism numbers and it can help to boost our economy.”
Janell Braynen, 42, who has also worked multiple major events said, rather than putting The Bahamas on the map, the tournament will keep the country on the map.
“It will also allow other countries to recognize the potential that we hold and the things that we can offer as a country,” Braynen said.
She said she offered herself as a volunteer to give back to the country. Braynen said she has been volunteering for three years.
“For me, I find that it’s just fun just to volunteer and give of yourself to the Bahamas. It is a community event. It’s just fun. I love doing it,” she said.
Braynen is assigned to transportation and accreditation.
VIP tickets are still available for purchase. General Admission is Free. Gates open at 2:30am for the group phase of the tournament. Kick-off is at 3:30pm.
Team Bahamas plays on Thursday, April 27, Saturday, April 29, and Monday, May 1 at 8:00pm.
© Copyright 2017 by thebahamasweekly.com
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