More than 1,500 volunteers from across Qatar were recently recruited to support the FIFA Club World Cup 2020 Local Organising Committee as the county delivered another successful edition of the tournament.
Working within strict Covid-19 safety protocols, volunteers played a critical role in delivering a safe and enjoyable tournament, during which a limited number of fans returned to the stands at Education City and Ahmad Bin Ali stadiums and six teams representing five confederations traveled to Qatar to compete across seven matches.
The volunteers were divided across 13 different functions, including more than 100 volunteers being dedicated to the ticketing centre where fans underwent a Covid-19 test prior to receiving their match tickets.
With under two years to go until Qatar hosts the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has already received more than 290,000 volunteer applications from across the region.
Qatar2022.qa caught up with volunteers from Qatar, Brazil and Mexico who helped deliver the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020™ to learn more about their experience of volunteering in the tournament.
Adriano Souza Guimaraes, Brazil
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m from Brazil and I moved to Qatar a year ago with my family. I currently work in risk management.
How did you become a volunteer?
I became a volunteer because of my passion for football. I’m a sports enthusiast. I like to run, swim and play football. Like other Brazilians, I am passionate about all kinds of sports. As Brazilians, sports are a part of our DNA. It’s part of our life. It’s part of our culture.
Can you share what you learned from your volunteering experience?
Volunteering means giving a little bit of yourself to society. It makes me feel part of an inclusive community. The feeling that you can make a difference is what keeps me going. As a volunteer, you add value to society. The rewarding feeling you get cannot be described. I’m very excited to keep volunteering and gain new skills that I can implement during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
What is the best part about living in Qatar?
Being able to live here is unique. The best part about living in Qatar is being a part of the history of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and making history as a volunteer. Being able to work and dedicate myself as a volunteer in the stadiums is truly a nice sensation.
Fatima al-Shammari, Qatar
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m a chemical engineer graduate. I graduated a year ago and I currently work full-time in that field. Before becoming a full-time engineer, I wanted to make the best use of the free time I had. So, I decided to develop and utilise my artistic talents and started my own business, which is focused on painting vases. My business reflects my personality and allows me to express myself.
How did you become a volunteer?
I began volunteering with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy in 2019, when I received an email asking for people to volunteer. I wanted to try something new. I’ve always wanted to experience the football world first-hand and volunteering was the perfect platform. It gave me the chance to see the latest preparations for 2022 and the atmosphere inside these world-class stadiums.
You’re extremely busy with your various jobs. What makes you want to make time to volunteer?
Yes, I barely have time to juggle between my business and my full-time job. However, at the end of the day, I find myself wanting to give more to the community than I receive. It’s all about time management and your priorities.
Talk about your volunteering experience during the FIFA Club World Cup?
During the tournament, I volunteered three times a week. I had a leadership role in spectator services. Spectators sometimes need direction inside the stadium. My role involved directing them as part of the overall fan experience. I’m super excited to volunteer in the upcoming tournaments in the lead up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
As a Qatari, what impression do you want to give to football fans from around the world?
I can’t wait for all eyes to be on Qatar, so we can show the world what we can offer as a small nation. I want to present to them the best impression of Qatar. I want them to disregard the generic stereotypes most have of the Middle East. We are proud of our past and heritage, but we have also developed in unimaginable ways. Foreign fans will get to see how close-knit the Qatari community is and how determined we are.
Carmen Almendra Campos Estevar, Mexico
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m an industrial engineer from Mexico and I currently live in Qatar. A couple of years ago, I opened my own chocolate shop in one of the malls here in Qatar.
How did you become a volunteer?
As a Mexican, passion for football runs through our blood. We are a very small community of Mexicans here in Qatar. The FIFA Club World Cup 2020 was an opportunity for me to be able to get closer to football and enjoy it in a different way.
Can you share what you learned from your volunteering experience?
For me, working as a volunteer was an enriching experience. Being able to work with people from all over the world with different backgrounds and cultures allowed me to get out of my comfort zone. Being close to the organisation of the event provided a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the tournament preparations. Volunteering also encouraged me to learn more about the country I’m living in and understand the locals’ way of thinking.
What is the best part about living in Qatar?
The feeling of safety I get here that I cannot get anywhere else. Qatar really gives me the comfort I need and is truly my home away from home.
