29th SEA Games Volunteering Experience
The 29th SEA Games has ended about two weeks ago. I thought of posting my volunteering experience earlier but as I was quite busy, it is delayed till now.
The 29th SEA Games event was held mainly in Kuala Lumpur from 19th of Aug till 30th of Aug. Being a host country after 16 years, how could I not join in the fun? And so, I applied to be a volunteer last year July. Of course, I pulled my sister to join in as well. Through the official webpage, we were required to fill in our details and were allowed to choose the games and position we desired. All done and what's left was to wait for the result.
The result of the application was then notified to us in January via email. As there were a large amount of applicants, every applicants might receive notification on a different date. I thought I was rejected, at first, as my sister had received it earlier. Thankfully, I received it on a later date. I would have been so depressed if I had not received it. After the notification, it was a series of training before the start of the game.
General Training
The 29th SEA Games event was held mainly in Kuala Lumpur from 19th of Aug till 30th of Aug. Being a host country after 16 years, how could I not join in the fun? And so, I applied to be a volunteer last year July. Of course, I pulled my sister to join in as well. Through the official webpage, we were required to fill in our details and were allowed to choose the games and position we desired. All done and what's left was to wait for the result.
The result of the application was then notified to us in January via email. As there were a large amount of applicants, every applicants might receive notification on a different date. I thought I was rejected, at first, as my sister had received it earlier. Thankfully, I received it on a later date. I would have been so depressed if I had not received it. After the notification, it was a series of training before the start of the game.
General Training
It was a 2D1N training in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) attended by all volunteers regardless of position given.
As I arrived, the volunteers had to register and take the necessary kit and we were brought to our dorm immediately. After a little rest, we had our lunch which were all well-prepared by the secretariats.
Then, we were then brought to the lecture hall, where we were given information on the background of the SEA Games and the countries that are participating. We were also taught on how to respond and handle emergency situations and dealing with foreigners when language is the main barrier. All lectures given were done in an interactive manner, which gave the supposedly dull modules, a little livelier.
What I found surprised was that all sorts of people joined in this volunteer, from students to trainers to doctors. However, there is a significant imbalance in race, which I think it is a pity as it is a great chance to show the others the diversity of our country.
Specialised Training
About 5 months later, we received another email that invite us to attend another training according to the positions we were assigned to. I was assigned as a protocol officer, which was what I originally applied.
It was only a day training but the duration might be shortened depend on your position. Some took a day, some took half a day.
As I was assigned to protocol, we were given a brief introduction of what protocol is about and the divisions of protocol involved. As prize giving is a part of protocol, we were all required to join a short "audition" to decide if we are suitable to be a traygirl/boy or an escort. Basically, we were told to walk down the stairs while escorting our invincible VIP and did a simple simulation of prize-giving. It was a rather interesting turn of event, especially when the officer, where the group I was assigned to, get stricter as the "audition" went on. Too bad I was the last person.
Specialised Training - Part 2
This training wasn't given to everyone. Only a few positions required additional training as the previous training was too short.
In this training, we were given details as to what we should do and the locations we were assigned to. A rehearsal for the prize-giving ceremony was held too. We were also taught on how we should walk, dress and make up (for ladies).
13000 Volunteers Gathering
On the 6th of Aug, there was a gathering for all the volunteers. It was like a festival, before the start of event, specially designed for us to boost our spirit. What we did on that day were a series of performance by our local artists, a short speech from PDRM, launching of apps, a short meet up with our sports minister and a rehearsal for the volunteers' parade for the closing ceremony.
Rehearsal and Site Visit
There were also a series of rehearsal and site visits depend on our sports manager. Unfortunately, as the place I was assigned to is a newly built area, there are many things that were not ready and a few times that we were called for rehearsal ended up with not much thing to bag home. Which was why, whenever there was a full rehearsal, it was done in a rush. Thankfully, the venue is ready when the competition started.
Oh, I forgot to mention. The place I was assigned to is Empire City Damansara, where sports such as ice hockey, figure skating and speed skating were held. They are games newly added to SEA Games and I was so happy when I know that I got to volunteer in this place. I have always been a fan of figure skating! While other protocol teammates were assigned based on sports, my team was lucky enough to stick to a location, which involves 3 sports.
*On a side note, the skating rink is now opened to the public and it costs only RM 10 for entry. However, you are required to bring your own skating shoes.
The best thing of being a volunteer is that we are able to see the athletes' training upclose!! (Isn't that the best reward one could get?)
The Benefits
Before I proceed to the actual SEA Games part, which will be on the next post, let me expose to you the benefits a volunteer gets.
- 2 t-shirts (one with collar and one without collar)
As I arrived, the volunteers had to register and take the necessary kit and we were brought to our dorm immediately. After a little rest, we had our lunch which were all well-prepared by the secretariats.
Then, we were then brought to the lecture hall, where we were given information on the background of the SEA Games and the countries that are participating. We were also taught on how to respond and handle emergency situations and dealing with foreigners when language is the main barrier. All lectures given were done in an interactive manner, which gave the supposedly dull modules, a little livelier.
What I found surprised was that all sorts of people joined in this volunteer, from students to trainers to doctors. However, there is a significant imbalance in race, which I think it is a pity as it is a great chance to show the others the diversity of our country.
Specialised Training
About 5 months later, we received another email that invite us to attend another training according to the positions we were assigned to. I was assigned as a protocol officer, which was what I originally applied.
It was only a day training but the duration might be shortened depend on your position. Some took a day, some took half a day.
As I was assigned to protocol, we were given a brief introduction of what protocol is about and the divisions of protocol involved. As prize giving is a part of protocol, we were all required to join a short "audition" to decide if we are suitable to be a traygirl/boy or an escort. Basically, we were told to walk down the stairs while escorting our invincible VIP and did a simple simulation of prize-giving. It was a rather interesting turn of event, especially when the officer, where the group I was assigned to, get stricter as the "audition" went on. Too bad I was the last person.
Specialised Training - Part 2
This training wasn't given to everyone. Only a few positions required additional training as the previous training was too short.
In this training, we were given details as to what we should do and the locations we were assigned to. A rehearsal for the prize-giving ceremony was held too. We were also taught on how we should walk, dress and make up (for ladies).
13000 Volunteers Gathering
On the 6th of Aug, there was a gathering for all the volunteers. It was like a festival, before the start of event, specially designed for us to boost our spirit. What we did on that day were a series of performance by our local artists, a short speech from PDRM, launching of apps, a short meet up with our sports minister and a rehearsal for the volunteers' parade for the closing ceremony.
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| The crowd |
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| The small little stage |
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| In awe by this majestic stadium |
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| The blue blue sky |
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| The look of someone who couldn't wait for the SEA games to start |
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| Showing off our sister's love |
Rehearsal and Site Visit
There were also a series of rehearsal and site visits depend on our sports manager. Unfortunately, as the place I was assigned to is a newly built area, there are many things that were not ready and a few times that we were called for rehearsal ended up with not much thing to bag home. Which was why, whenever there was a full rehearsal, it was done in a rush. Thankfully, the venue is ready when the competition started.
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| 2 days before the competition |
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| Rehearsal for ice hockey's opening ceremony |
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| Rehearsal for figure skating's opening ceremony |
Oh, I forgot to mention. The place I was assigned to is Empire City Damansara, where sports such as ice hockey, figure skating and speed skating were held. They are games newly added to SEA Games and I was so happy when I know that I got to volunteer in this place. I have always been a fan of figure skating! While other protocol teammates were assigned based on sports, my team was lucky enough to stick to a location, which involves 3 sports.
*On a side note, the skating rink is now opened to the public and it costs only RM 10 for entry. However, you are required to bring your own skating shoes.
The best thing of being a volunteer is that we are able to see the athletes' training upclose!! (Isn't that the best reward one could get?)
The Benefits
Before I proceed to the actual SEA Games part, which will be on the next post, let me expose to you the benefits a volunteer gets.
- 2 t-shirts (one with collar and one without collar)
- 1 pants (love this pants as it is full of pockets)
- 1 cap
- 1 set of batik cloth for people involving in prize-giving ceremony
- accreditation card (free access for RapidKL public transport and full access to the games venue)
- food allowance of RM 50/day
- insurance coverage (in case of any unforeseen accident)
- certificate of appreciation
That's the pre-games activities that we did. The next part will be what we did on the games itself.
Before I end this post, I would like to inform that the 9th ASEAN Para Games is going to be starting soon. Apparently the opening ceremony ticket for this Sunday (17/9/2017) is being given out for free. So, quickly grab it now. For more information, click here.
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