The Tribune

MORE than 200 Bahamian volunteers are offering themselves for “national service” to ensure the biggest sports tournament to be hosted in the country goes smoothly.

Organisers of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 have received the help of many Bahamians who are giving their time and expertise to the tournament, which runs from tomorrow to May 7 at the National Beach Soccer Arena at Malcolm Park.

The event will feature 16 of the best beach soccer teams in the world.

From students on school break to veteran volunteers, Bahamians will be working in roles including hospitality, accreditation and transport.

Denzil Sturrup, 42, said he has been volunteering for years as a means to give back to the country has been assigned to the VIP area. “It’s a great experience because you get to showcase the Bahamian people, and our hospitality,” he said. “So it’s not just about the county but the people itself. For those who haven’t heard much about us, we are more than sun, sand and see. We’re about our people and our culture. So, we get to share this with an international audience.

“Basically I’m a goodwill ambassador. I have been volunteering for so many different events over the past few years. I just did IAAF (World Relays) this past weekend. I’ve been doing it because it’s great for the country, especially a tourism country.”

Stanley Forbes, 35, said he has been volunteering at multiple sporting events since he was a boy. “So beach soccer was another sport on my list,” he said. “This event will bring more tourists to The Bahamas and we get more exposure to the world.”

Fans will get to see teams from Switzerland, Ecuador, Senegal, Nigeria, Italy, Mexico, Paraguay, Portugal, Panama, Brazil, Tahiti, Poland, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Japan and the hosts, Bahamas, over the course of ten days.

College student Megan Smith, 18, said the tournament comes at the perfect time when she is on a break from school. She said she volunteered because of the opportunities it offers. “This gives me the opportunity to work with people around the world and expose me to soccer, which is big in The Bahamas now,” she said.

Referring to the impact the tournament will have on the country, Ms Smith added, “It puts The Bahamas on the map in many countries. It could potentially help to increase our tourism numbers and it can help to boost our economy.”

Janell Braynen, 42, who has also worked at multiple major events said the World Cup will also allow other countries “to recognise the potential that we hold and the things that we can offer as a country”.

She, who has been volunteering for three years and is assigned to transportation and accreditation, said she offered herself to give back to the country. “For me, I find that it’s just fun just to volunteer and give of yourself to The Bahamas. It is a community event. It’s just fun. I love doing it,” she said.

VIP tickets are still available for purchase while general admission to the games is free. Gates open at 2.30am for the group phase of the tournament over the first six days, with matches kicking off at 3.30pm, 5pm, 6.30pm and 8pm daily.

Team Bahamas plays Switzerland on Thursday, Senegal on Saturday and Ecuador on Monday, all at 8pm.