MEDIA RELEASE
117TH IOC SESSION VOLUNTEERS GEAR UP FOR SINGAPORE’S LARGEST SPORTING EVENT
(Special Hospitality Training Session conducted by Singapore Airlines for Volunteers from All Walks of Life)
Singapore, 18 June, 2005 – As Singapore counts down to the largest sporting event ever to be held here, volunteers from all walks of life are gearing up to help manage the more than 3,000 to 5,000 guests expected here for this watershed event.
Hailing from all quarters of the Singapore population, volunteers, ranging from housewives, professionals, retirees, teachers, sportsmen and students are all rallying together in a show of support that is reflective of the spirit of the Olympics.
Said Mr Ng Ser Miang, President of the 117th IOC Session Singapore Organising Committee and IOC Member in Singapore: "The spirit of Olympism is a philosophy emphasising the role of sports in world development, towards international understanding, peaceful co-existence, social and moral education. It is the basis for the Olympic spirit and values of hope, equality, respect for others, friendship, fair-play and inspiration. The makeup of our volunteers in Singapore is a manifestation of this worldwide Olympic philosophy – right at our doorstep. I am delighted that Singaporeans and residents have taken a very keen interest in this event and decided to volunteer their personal time to help in this historic and most exciting event.”
Out of about 500 volunteers involved in the Session, more than 330 were short-listed from the volunteer recruitment drive. Special effort has also been made to ensure the volunteers are equipped with the right skills and training to welcome guests from five of the world’s greatest and most glamorous cities as well as from the rest of the world.
As part of the training, Singapore Airlines, renowned for its world-class customer services, conceptualised and conducted a Hospitality and Customer Services Training Session for IOC Volunteers today. Specially customised to meet the job scope of the volunteers, the training session aims to equip volunteers with practical tips and information on service excellence, cultural awareness, protocol management as well as grooming and social etiquette.
“As Singapore takes centrestage, the volunteers have an important role to play. Whether in the frontline welcoming our overseas guests and extending our warm hospitality or behind-the-scenes making sure this event runs like clockwork, their contribution is imperative.” commented Mr Ng Ser Miang, President of the 117th IOC Session Singapore Organising Committee and IOC Member in Singapore.
Said Singapore Airlines’ Executive Vice President of Marketing and the Regions, Mr Huang Cheng Eng, “Besides being a sponsor of the 117th IOC Session and flying in members of the IOC Executive Board and IOC members, Singapore Airlines is proud to extend our participation to train the IOC volunteers. As a global airline, SIA is constantly in touch with people from all around the world and we have accumulated extensive experience in extending warm and gracious services to our passengers. We are pleased to be able to share this knowledge with IOC Volunteers from all walks of lives and equip these ambassadors of Singapore with the confidence to host, interact and assist our guests of this milestone event.”
Volunteers will help the Singapore Organising Committee in the areas of hospitality, media support, logistics and programme coordination and operations management.
117th IOC Session Volunteers In Their Own Words…
"I am very excited to be a part of the biggest event ever to happen in Singapore."
Goh Fang Hui, Female, 18
Kindergarten Teacher
Functions & Ceremonies
"I believe I can give the delegates and guests a meaningful and memorable stay in Singapore."
Cheong Kiat Hoe, Male, 20
Student
Hospitality, Welcome Desk
"Singapore hosting the 117th IOC Session is something you don’t get to see everyday. It’s really cool. This is a once in a lifetime experience."
Melvin Tan, Male, 19
Student
Meeting Schedule & Programme
"I’ve been following the Olympics since I was a young boy, way back in 1972, all the way till now. I’ve always wanted to be a part of the Olympic Movement and what better opportunity than now with the 117th IOC Session happening in Singapore."
Jeremy Choo, Male, 42
TV Producer
Media Support
"The 117th IOC Session is a good testing ground for Singapore and a chance for us to show that small dot means business. It’s a good time for the rest of the world to get to know us."
Ong Kah Seng, Male, 37
Principal Instructor
Singapore Air Force
Functions & Ceremony
About the 117th IOC Session in Singapore
The 117th IOC Session will be held in Singapore at the Raffles City Convention Centre from July 6 to 9 where the host city for the 2012 Olympic Games will be decided. The announcement ceremony for the successful host city will commence at 7.30pm on 6 July 2005 and will be broadcasted to more than 1 billion people worldwide. The Session will also review the Summer Olympics programme where each of the 28 sports in the Summer Olympics will be put to a vote. Some 3,000 to 5,000 sports officials, enthusiasts and media will be travelling from all over the world to Singapore for the session.
For more information, please visit http://www.singapore2005ioc.org.sg/
Media Contact (on behalf of the Singapore Organising Committee for the 117th IOC Session)
Sheila Rasu Ronda Ng
Account Director Account Manager
Fulford Public Relations Fulford Public Relations
Phone: 6324 2269 Phone: 6324 5293
MP: 9828 7426 MP: 9152 2842
Email: srasu@fulfordpr.com Email: rng@fulfordpr.com
For more information on SIA
Public Affairs Department
Tel: (65) 65415880 (office hours)
Tel: (65) 97532126 (after office hours)
Fax: (65) 65456083
URL: www.singaporeair.com