20 Jul 2010|Noida | Amity University Campus, Sector-125 Noida
Kapil Dev motivates Press Operations Volunteers of Commonwealth Games, Delhi 2010 at Amity University
Amity University has been entrusted the responsibility of training 30,000 volunteers and 2,500 workforce for XIX Common Wealth Games, Delhi 2010 and as part of the training, an interactive session was organised with eminent Cricketer Kapil Dev and Mr. Tarlochan Singh -MP, Rajya Sabha and Head of the Media Sub- Committee of Organizing Committee, CWG including eminent journalists to enthuse and motivate the volunteers as well as to apprise them with the expectations of media from Press Operations Volunteers during the Games.
Motivating over 250 Press Operations volunteers of Common Wealth Games, Delhi 2010 during their second phase of training, Mr. Kapil Dev called volunteers as the face of the Games and apprised them of their responsibility to ensure that the Commonwealth Games changes the face of the country as well. Highlighting the responsibilities of the volunteers he said that each press operations volunteer may have to look after three- four media person everyday. Volunteers have to deal with them with a smile on their face, which can change negative behavior into pleasant behavior. “We have a rich culture but not many people know that. With your smile, with your own strength, do the work assigned to you in the best possible manner. We are making the change already in the world but this Commonwealth Games is going to make so much difference that you cannot even imagine at this stage. We are depending upon you so work really hard with passion. You may not be able to see even one sports event, your job is to look after media people who are coming to the country, your job is to sacrifice your own ambition at that moment and try to work for the country. Only passionate people will come out with flying colors”, averred Mr. Kapil Dev. He called upon the volunteers to always greet visitors with “ NAMASTE” and promote Indian culture.
Highlighting what is expected of press operations volunteers during Commonwealth Games, Mr. Tarlochan Singh -MP, Rajya Sabha and Head of the Media Sub- Committee of Organizing Committee, CWG said “The volunteers must realize that they have chosen to act as volunteers on their own, their duty will be assigned by the people in charge of each operation. Majority of the volunteers may not even get a chance to even see the Games, they may be asked to stand outside the stadiums. You are lucky because press operations volunteers are required in the press blocks of all the 17 stadiums and secondly, you will get an opportunity to work in the press centre at Pragati Maidan, you might be deputed in the hotels assigned for the media. We are expecting over 2, 000 media people and among them will be 700- 800 foreign journalists. Your duty is to look after them. Now time has come when we all should unite, be optimistic and see that the Games are the best games”.
Mr. K S Bains- Director General, Amity Institute of Training and Development called upon the volunteers to put their heart and soul into the duties assigned to them during the Commonwealth Games, Delhi 2010 and ensure that Commonwealth Games goes down in the history of India as a momentous event to be reckoned for ages. He thanked all the speakers who took out time from their busy schedule to enrich the volunteers with their experience.
Sharing his experiences during various football tournaments, Mr. Novi Kapadia- Sports Commentator attributed the success of World Cup Football Cup to volunteers since most of the media people’s major impression of a country or city was through the volunteers. He stressed on the fact that media just like players, is also under immense pressure to perform and volunteers play a very crucial role in ensuring that media people meet their deadlines and go back with reasonably happy memories of India.
Sharing her views with the volunteers, eminent journalist Ms. Sharda Ugra- Deputy Editor, Sports, India Today said “Commonwealth Games is a very big deal not only for athletes and spectators but also for press without which a multi-disciplinary game cannot really become the big event that it is. The games will introduce you for the first time to journalists who will be much older to you. Journalists are often impatient, cranky, grumbling, they have their deadlines to meet so they want information on time”. Advising the volunteers as to how to conduct themselves during the Games, she said, “Whatever you are told to do, pay attention to that. Timing is very important for a journalist, whatever you are suppose to do make sure it is done on time. Don’t hang around. Be punctual and make sure that by the time first journalist comes in everything is set. Keep the information ready for the journalists and if you don’t know anything, check with your supervisor and then give the correct information.”
“We may have the best stadiums, we may have the best athletes but what media writes about us is what world is going to read. Journalists are slightly difficult to handle, they have got deadlines to meet and they want everything immediately so if the small little information is missing it rankles the journalists. Volunteers are the face of the Games, the journalists from all over the world will expect you to be smiling all the time and coming up with the right information. I am sure you are brightest young people around and will take best care of your guests.” said Mr. Alok Sinha- Sports Editor, The Times of India.
The interactive session was moderated by Mr. Manish Kumar- DDG, Press Operations, CWG and was attended by several officials of OC, CWG