PANJIM: It’s foul play all the way. With exactly 14 days to go for the start whistle, there are problems galore. Nothing seems to be going right for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the State.
After the trophy unveiling ceremony of the FIFA U-17 World Cup turned out to be a damp squib, now it is the volunteers’ turn to face wrath of sorts.
Most volunteers for the U-17, World Cup are backing out as they will be marked absent by their respective educational institutions.
According to sources, at least 30 to 40 volunteers have informed the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 Local Organising Committee (LOC), that they will not be able report for their “work” as their colleges have refused to mark them present while on duty at India’s debut FIFA event.
“We were under the impression that we will be marked present as we will be part of this historic event, however, we have been informed by our colleges that even while on World Cup duty, we will be marked absent. This decision is absurd and has been good enough to deter us to participate in the event,” a volunteer said on condition of anonymity.
“The decision by the colleges to mark us absent is absolutely ridiculous. It is India’s first FIFA event and the Government has been involved in organising the same from the beginning. I sincerely hope that our colleges consider our pleas and change their stand,” another volunteer added.
Around 200 students from colleges across Goa have been selected as volunteers who have undergone specific training in their respective departments.
When contacted, Director of Education G P Bhat said that they have not taken any decision on the volunteers’ attendance while on World Cup duty.
“If they are present they will be marked so and if they aren’t present, they will not be awarded with attendance,” Bhat said.
When asked if the department had received any letter from the LOC in tis regard, Bhat answered in the negative.
LOC sources said, “It will be difficult for them to induct fresh volunteers as they will have to train them and then allocate the same to different departments which is a Herculean task especially with just two weeks left for the Big Ticket event. Also accreditation will be an issue.”
All 200 volunteers are an integral part of the World Cup set up and even a small change in that number can hamper the smooth work flow. In case of any drop in volunteer number, the operations at the stadium will get affected as they are the heart and soul of the tournament.
The volunteers are expected to start work on the tournament from September 28 which leaves the Government and organisers very little time to resolve the issue.
Earlier, the Directorate of Education (DoE) had issued a circular to heads of government, government-aided and unaided schools, including higher secondaries, asking that the 1st terminal examination be rescheduled on or before October 7 in order to allow students to watch the FIFA under-17 World Cup matches to be held in the State.
“In order to enable students to witness the matches of once in a life-time event it is enjoyed upon the heads of all the schools to re-schedule the 1st terminal/summative examination so that it gets over on or before October 7. Regular classes to continue till end of the term,” stated the circular issued by DoE.
Now, the questions remains if weather the FIFA LOC will make a plea to the DoE asking them to mark the volunteers present and weather the DoE will give nod to the same.
