29th SEA Games Volunteering Experience (Part 2)
Continuing from my previous post.
Opening Ceremony (OC)
It's finally the day that we were waiting for. All volunteers were scheduled to duty on that day to assist. I was not exempted.
There was supposed to be a briefing at 2pm. However, as I had something to do, I could only arrive at about 5pm. By the time I arrived, I immediately went to the gate our group was assigned to and had a little short briefing with my team. We basically guide the visitors to their seats from the time I arrived till the end of the event, at about 10pm. However, the instructions given were not cleared that everyone had a different interpretation. It was a chaos, but we tried to be flexible and did what we could.
Since we were told not to bring our bags, I expected that they provide drinks for us as per the "13000 Volunteers Gathering". However, they did not. So, we had to buy the drinks by ourselves. The queue was long and so did the waiting time for the drinks to be served. We, therefore, took the opportunity to "enjoy" the performance through the slips.
It was one tiring day as we had to stand for a long time, dehydrated. Not to mention, going back home was one tiring and sweating moment as we were squeezing or either were squeezed to pass through the gate. Entering the LRT wasn't easy too but better than the former. This must be the reason why I never like going to concerts where people come and go almost the same time. "Human traffic" is the worst and the most uncomfortable.
Ushering VIPs
Ice Hockey was the first event that we had. Besides unsure of what to do, we were pretty excited on what's coming. Our first job was to double check if the flags, royal and VIP boxes and red carpet were all prepared. Then, we once again confirmed the time the VIPs would be arriving and would wait at the arrival hall 15 minutes in advance.
Once the VIPs arrived, we basically ushered them to their place and then our team took turns to keep a look out at them, in case they need us for something.
Victory Ceremony (VC)
Our next main job. For VC, we were divided into 3: usher-er, traygirl/trayboy and logistic. The usher-ers lead the winners and the presenters, the traygirls/trayboys carry the medal, the mascot dolls and a tree and the logistics are responsible for setting up the podium.
The VC for each event we organised was all different. Each have their own international protocols to follow and vary according to the number of players in a team. We learnt and discussed for any misunderstanding and thus ice hockey's and short track's VC were all good. However, dissatisfaction definitely occurred between our organising committee and the figure skating federation due to the different VC standards. Fans of figure skating would definitely see the difference of VC for figure skating in SEA Games with other competitions. Being in a team who organised the VC and a fan of figure skating, I was stuck in between and tried to make my team understand and hoping for a compromise, but it came out as what you have seen. Thankfully, the VC was able to proceed smoothly.
After VC, we were lucky enough to be able to have some shots with the athletes. A very very good perk, no?
Resting
In between of not doing our jobs, we tried to watch some games and make sure to at least remembered the scores or the winning team in case the VIPs ask, in which they did. Also, our side job during our free time was to dress up SEA Games 2017 mascot - Rimau!! and to bring him around to heat up the games.
Thank goodness, this time we were given free drinks, mainly by SEA Games sponsors, which I think supervised by another volunteering team.
And took pictures whenever we felt like it.
Closing Ceremony (CC)
Closing ceremony was pretty much the same as Opening Ceremony, in which volunteers were involved in guiding the guests to their seats. What made it different was, instead of athletes parade, CC has volunteers parade.
Besides that, as it was Malaysia's National Day the next day, they took this chance to celebrate National Day altogether. I thought of interesting performances, but all they did was sing till the clock struck 12am. Not to mention, they were all Malay songs, which I actually do not mind if they are the songs we are familiar with. Sadly, I only knew 2-3 songs. Where's the supposedly "Malaysian" song? Shouldn't they organise performances with all the ethnics, instead of focusing on one ethnic? I was pretty disappointed that the organising committee did not fully utilise this chance to display our vibrant Malaysian culture.
Right before our prime minister made a speech of National Day, we were granted a public holiday on Monday for having won 145 gold medals, exceeding the set goal. Yet another holiday for us.
Thoughts
It was my first volunteering in such a big event. Being able to see the setting up of such an international event, is such an unbelievable experience. I made lots of friends and learnt a bunch of new things. However, it wasn't a perfect SEA Games. Nothing is perfect. There were chaos here and there, but through the chaos we learnt and made the next event, the paralympic games, a better one. At least, we learnt. For that, I want to take this opportunity to thank the organising committee, all the games federation, the volunteers and the parents of the athletes for tolerating each other and making this event an unforgettable one.
EXTRA
Though the picture below isn't related to SEA Games 2017, but thumb up for their creativity in celebrating our national day! (I took it from SS15 Courtyard)
That's all for today. Till next time~
 |
| The amount of people and that's only the entrance |
There was supposed to be a briefing at 2pm. However, as I had something to do, I could only arrive at about 5pm. By the time I arrived, I immediately went to the gate our group was assigned to and had a little short briefing with my team. We basically guide the visitors to their seats from the time I arrived till the end of the event, at about 10pm. However, the instructions given were not cleared that everyone had a different interpretation. It was a chaos, but we tried to be flexible and did what we could.
Since we were told not to bring our bags, I expected that they provide drinks for us as per the "13000 Volunteers Gathering". However, they did not. So, we had to buy the drinks by ourselves. The queue was long and so did the waiting time for the drinks to be served. We, therefore, took the opportunity to "enjoy" the performance through the slips.
 |
| Volunteers parade - Team Malaysia |
 |
| Fireworks behind the bar |
 |
| The grand ending |
It was one tiring day as we had to stand for a long time, dehydrated. Not to mention, going back home was one tiring and sweating moment as we were squeezing or either were squeezed to pass through the gate. Entering the LRT wasn't easy too but better than the former. This must be the reason why I never like going to concerts where people come and go almost the same time. "Human traffic" is the worst and the most uncomfortable.
Ushering VIPs
Ice Hockey was the first event that we had. Besides unsure of what to do, we were pretty excited on what's coming. Our first job was to double check if the flags, royal and VIP boxes and red carpet were all prepared. Then, we once again confirmed the time the VIPs would be arriving and would wait at the arrival hall 15 minutes in advance.
 |
| Preparing of red carpet Photo credits to Sweatt |
 |
| Awaiting for the arrival of VIPs Photo credits to Sweatt |
Once the VIPs arrived, we basically ushered them to their place and then our team took turns to keep a look out at them, in case they need us for something.
Victory Ceremony (VC)
Our next main job. For VC, we were divided into 3: usher-er, traygirl/trayboy and logistic. The usher-ers lead the winners and the presenters, the traygirls/trayboys carry the medal, the mascot dolls and a tree and the logistics are responsible for setting up the podium.
 |
| Right before VC |
 |
| The relief face of me after having holding the tray, shaking from the start till the end |
The VC for each event we organised was all different. Each have their own international protocols to follow and vary according to the number of players in a team. We learnt and discussed for any misunderstanding and thus ice hockey's and short track's VC were all good. However, dissatisfaction definitely occurred between our organising committee and the figure skating federation due to the different VC standards. Fans of figure skating would definitely see the difference of VC for figure skating in SEA Games with other competitions. Being in a team who organised the VC and a fan of figure skating, I was stuck in between and tried to make my team understand and hoping for a compromise, but it came out as what you have seen. Thankfully, the VC was able to proceed smoothly.
After VC, we were lucky enough to be able to have some shots with the athletes. A very very good perk, no?
 |
| The love and support given to our ace |
 |
| The amazing competitors and our ace's coach |
Resting
In between of not doing our jobs, we tried to watch some games and make sure to at least remembered the scores or the winning team in case the VIPs ask, in which they did. Also, our side job during our free time was to dress up SEA Games 2017 mascot - Rimau!! and to bring him around to heat up the games.
Thank goodness, this time we were given free drinks, mainly by SEA Games sponsors, which I think supervised by another volunteering team.
And took pictures whenever we felt like it.
 |
| Layering up for being assigned to such a cool place. LUCKY! |
 |
| A huge shout out for my sister - my personal make up artist |
Closing Ceremony (CC)
Closing ceremony was pretty much the same as Opening Ceremony, in which volunteers were involved in guiding the guests to their seats. What made it different was, instead of athletes parade, CC has volunteers parade.
 |
| Gathering for the parade |
 |
| Marching in |
Besides that, as it was Malaysia's National Day the next day, they took this chance to celebrate National Day altogether. I thought of interesting performances, but all they did was sing till the clock struck 12am. Not to mention, they were all Malay songs, which I actually do not mind if they are the songs we are familiar with. Sadly, I only knew 2-3 songs. Where's the supposedly "Malaysian" song? Shouldn't they organise performances with all the ethnics, instead of focusing on one ethnic? I was pretty disappointed that the organising committee did not fully utilise this chance to display our vibrant Malaysian culture.
 |
| Being jailed in |
Right before our prime minister made a speech of National Day, we were granted a public holiday on Monday for having won 145 gold medals, exceeding the set goal. Yet another holiday for us.
 |
| A wonderful, but late, closing for SEA Games 2017 |
Thoughts
It was my first volunteering in such a big event. Being able to see the setting up of such an international event, is such an unbelievable experience. I made lots of friends and learnt a bunch of new things. However, it wasn't a perfect SEA Games. Nothing is perfect. There were chaos here and there, but through the chaos we learnt and made the next event, the paralympic games, a better one. At least, we learnt. For that, I want to take this opportunity to thank the organising committee, all the games federation, the volunteers and the parents of the athletes for tolerating each other and making this event an unforgettable one.
EXTRA
Though the picture below isn't related to SEA Games 2017, but thumb up for their creativity in celebrating our national day! (I took it from SS15 Courtyard)
That's all for today. Till next time~
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