Volunteers limber up for Club World Cup

Hassan Hassan

• Last Updated: November 18. 2009 9:47PM UAE / November 18. 2009 5:47PM GMT

Abu Dhabi // Football fans arriving to watch next month’s Fifa Club World Cup will be given a warm welcome from 450 Emirati volunteers.

Supporters from as far as Spain, New Zealand, Mexico, Argentina and South Korea are on their way for the tournament, which takes place from December 9 to 19.

On hand to help them enjoy their stay will be Takatof, the Emirates Foundation’s social volunteering programme.

It aims to repeat its successful operation at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this month, which involved more than 1,000 volunteers.

During the football tournament, the volunteers will welcome guests, help the media, and provide information on shuttle bus services and on entertainment and services around the stadiums.

Maytha al Habsi, the director of Takatof, said: “We hope that both the tournament organisers and our Emirati volunteers will draw mutual benefit from the effort and expertise being put into this exciting event.

Volunteers will develop important new skills.

“The F1 volunteers were highly praised by officials, observers, local and international media and guests who appreciated their outstanding performance.”

hhassan@thenational.ae