NYC Gears up for the 23 rd SEA Games

The National Youth Commission, head of the 23 rd Southeast Asian Games Sub-Committee for Volunteers, has been finishing up the selection, training and assignments of the SEA Games Volunteers nationwide.

More than 6,000 volunteers, venue managers and NYC staff nationwide were fielded for the events that will be held in key cities of Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Bacolod, Cebu and the National Capital Region from 27 November to 5 December 2005.

The international sports equipment manufacturer Yonex has supplied the uniforms, which will be worn by these volunteers as they do their designated tasks over the nine-day competition.

“The SEA Games is bound to make you set aside some of your personal, social or academic commitments. It could entail some sacrifices, like missing meals, or working beyond the assigned working hours. But this experience promises to remain with you for the rest of your life”, said Dennice Atienza, Vice Chairman of the Volunteers Committee.

The NCR delegation were also given a heads-up by three-time SEA Games volunteer Dr. Ernest Sanchez, who, while giving a realistic scenario of what happened during the 1981 and 1991 SEA Games, asks today's active batch of volunteers to brace themselves for the possible problems, and never lose faith, as this might be their chance to be one of the country's heroes.

The National Youth Commission has formed a selected group of volunteers to serve as venue coordinators, who will in turn make sure that the volunteers in each venue will be given their due allowances and uniforms in time for their shift.