Volunteers proud to help Jordan prepare for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

AMMAN — Though Rand Darras has undertaken voluntary work for two years, she says volunteering at the biggest sporting event in Jordan’s history is “a different experience”.

Darras, 21, has been volunteering in the preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup since January. 

“In the past, I used to volunteer because I wanted to make something for myself by gaining more experience. This time, I feel that I volunteer for the sake of my country,” she told The Jordan Times over the phone on Tuesday. 

Darras will be in charge of new volunteers who will be appointed to organise the flow of events during the global football tournament, which opens on September 30.

Mai Jaradat, the director of the tournament’s volunteer programme, said many volunteers started working with the sporting event’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) at the beginning of this year. 

“We opened the door for new volunteers and we started receiving requests from June 25. People will have the chance to submit requests until July 17,” she told The Jordan Times. 

Samar Nassar, CEO of the LOC, said between 2,500 and 3,000 people have requested to volunteer for the tournament so far.  

“This indicates how passionate people are to volunteer with us. Volunteers are expected to work in 17 fields including marketing, public transport, media, selling tickets and dealing with fans,” she told The Jordan Times.  

Jaradat said she hopes 1,000 volunteers will be appointed. 

“We want the volunteers to work in host cities — Amman, Zarqa and Irbid. They will work at the stadiums, training facilities and hotels. We want the city’s residents to volunteer because they know their cities well and they will work with great passion for the benefit of their city,” she added. 

Darras said the problem has been not finding enough volunteers, as hundreds of people have already applied. 

“The problem is that the ones who want to volunteer either live in Amman or work in Amman. There is a limited number of people who want to volunteer in other cities,” she explained. 

Nassar said a campaign will be held to promote voluntary work in other cities so that people feel the excitement of the competition. 

Volunteers must be available during the day and aged over 16, Jaradat said, adding that they should live in the city they want to volunteer in. 

Hana Awamleh said she wants to contribute to her country through volunteering. “I feel that I have a great responsibility because I want to make something positive for my country,” the 22-year-old said.

Jordan will benefit from the tournament in many ways, she added: “Not only in sports, but for the community, as it will highlight the important role of women.” 

Amjad Abu Issa, another volunteer, said he gained new skills through his participation with the committee. 

“I studied engineering at the University of Jordan and I am doing marketing at the committee and this will help boost my experience in other fields,” the 22-year-old said. 

The tournament will be held at four stadiums across the country, including two in Amman.

Over the course of 22 days, 16 teams will play 32 matches.