Bring it on

Amongst thousands of volunteers playing a part of 'Team Pune' at the CYG 2008...

The students from Leeds Metropolitan University, UK get hands on practice, while volunteering for CYG

Amongst thousands of volunteers playing a part of 8216;Team Pune8217; at the CYG 2008, a group of 25 foreign students have come down from the United Kingdom to be a part of the volunteering team. They are students of the Leeds Metropolitan University LMU, UK, who say that this event is not only a part of their annual curriculum but also an enriching and learning experience.

The students are divided in three groups, namely 8211; workforce 8211; to supervise the other volunteers, media help 8211; to guide the media on the various venues of the games and the games operation centre 8211; to co-ordinate with the senior officials of the games. These students are pursuing their bachelors degree at the university in various fields like sports development, sports management, public psychology, sports marketing, public relations and so on. 8220;This mega sports event held in Pune will give the students an experience overseas. Apart from this they also get to witness a land of culture and education,8221; says David Braham, director of international development LMU. Earlier these students who volunteered in events like IFFA awards are experiencing a sports event for the first time. 8220;This is our first encounter with any sports event. Before coming to Pune for the CYG we were working with Snehalaya and the Sanjay Nagar project in Ahmednagar,8221; adds Braham.

8220;International Games like CYG gives them a true exposure. Before we get the students we train them in various aspects like understanding the psychology of the people of the country we go to, creating a network for communicating at the event, how to mix up with the other volunteers and so on. This is like a practical experience of what is taught in books,8221; says David Jackson, director of international development, sports faculty, LMU Carangid.

The university has entered as educational partners with commonwealth games. 8220;The experience at CYG 2008 will provide the opportunity for contributing to major international sport events that have great significance. Also, this is like a preparatory mode on testing grounds for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010 where we would be volunteering on a greater scale,8221; says Jayashree Raghuram, manager of LMU Delhi branch.

8220;I was very excited when I was informed about my selection. It was a great opportunity to come down to the cultural city of Pune. I would be visiting various tourist places once the games are over. It is a very beautiful city and the sports complex is very well built,8221; says 22-year-old Esther Crane, an event management student of the university.

8220;I am working on the venues and coordinating with the staff. I am looking forward to visit tourist places in the city if time permits,8221; says 21-year-old Michelle Jhonston a graphic and event design student. Tehmina Hussain, a 21-year-old, who is studying sports development and physical education says, 8220;This event will help me know how things work and I will get practical experience to understand things better like how to manage a crowd, how media works alongside the event, what are the requirements during the event and so on.8221;