FROM THE
16th COMMONWEALTH GAMES TO SARAWAK... the spirit lives on
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Puan Syma Bte Haji Shamit
(front row; 2nd from left)
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Malaysia Boleh!'....and this has certainly been true during the 16th Commonwealth
Games 1998 held in Kuala Lumpur from 11 to 21 September 1998. TEN gold
medals, with 14 silver and 12 bronze medals, make up to total of 36 medals won
by our athletes. A lot of sweat and heartaches are shed during this memorable
games for Malaysia by all concerned, including the 15,000 plus volunteers involved
in making it a success.
The hosting and organisation of the 2nd world largest sporting event in Malaysia
is no easy feat. It requires at least 4 years of planning and coordination,
starting as early as 1994 for the different committees, officials, delegate
countries and volunteers to ensure that in 1998, it shall be the best Games
ever held in Asia. 100 of the 15,000 volunteers, about 90% of which are
civil servants, come from Sarawak;
| Place |
Betong
|
Saratok
|
Sri Aman
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Miri
|
Sibu
|
Sarikei
|
Bintulu
|
Kuching
|
Total
|
| ______________________________________________________________________________________ |
| Volunteer |
1
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
70
|
88
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Puan Syma Bte Haji Shamit, a Customs Officer for 17 years at the Customs &
Excise Dept, Kuching, sends in her form in 1995. According to Syma, 6 volunteers
including herself are from the Customs and Excise Department. A total of about
160 forms are sent from Sarawak, and in the end 100 volunteers make it to the
games. This is the first time for Malaysia to host such a big worldwide
event. It is not surprising then that there are teething problems.
For examples, no news or updates are given to our volunteers on their application
status but this fact does not discorage them. They decided to gather together
abd write in to the CG committee to enquire and request for the status. Their
efforts paid off. The positive replies later arrive in a big envelope.
The volunteers Section, regarding the appropriate dress code, conduct, etiquette
and how to handle problems that may arise during the games.
More work is required. There are several things which the volunteers initially
are not aware of, e.g., accommodations. They begin to meet once to twice
a month to discuss and coordinate the logistics of volunteering for the games
like booking air tickets, finding cheaper accommodations, etc. Their preparations
prove useful. Most of the volunteers are informed late on their confirmed
schedule. Syma gets to know her schedule just two weeks before the games
started.
Syma and sixteen others are placed as 'Hospitality Assistant' in the squash
games section. Their responsibility is to provide refreshments to the
athletes, officials and volunteers with mineral water, can drinks and milo.
Syma has to work form 9:00am until 7:00pm everyday, including Sunday. She also
has to pay for her own air tickets. Her meal allowances is RM15 per day.
The amount is not enough to cover for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Although
accommodation and transportation are provided for outstation volunteers, the
expenses mounted. "All in all, I spend RM1,000 out of my own pocket from
the 8th to 22nd September," says Syma.
It certainly looks like a lot of hard work being a colunteer. That is
the real truth behind true volunteering spirit. Volunteering requires time,
iffort and sacrifices. You give and share more than you can receive.
Only those who are willing to put in that kind of dedication and sacrifices.
You give and share more than you can receive. Only those who are willing
to put in that kind of dedication and sacrifice can enjoy the humble fruits
of volunteerism. The rewards cannot be seen, it can however be felt and
experienced. "At least I know the rules of a squash game now," says a
smiling Syma. The athletes, officials and volunteers of the CG have displayed
the spirit of volunteerism and sportsmanship. Despite minimal assistance
given to our volunteers, the 'Sukarelawan Nadi Sarawak 1998', they have persevered
before and during the games. Now, they want to continue volunteering their
services after the games. The spirit of voluntterism and sportsmanship
lives on within the civil service.
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