Bayanihan spirit alive in FIBA World Cup
THE Filipino ‘Bayanihan’ spirit is alive in the FIBA World Cup 2023.
The Philippines FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Local Organizing Committee said more than 13,000 volunteers have already applied — and 760 have been assigned up to the different functional areas since the volunteer program was launched last Nov. 30, 2022.
Officials said the volunteers have been assigned to perform about 35 different roles, ranging from spectator services, protocol assistants, courtside operations, and security, among several others.
“The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, the biggest basketball event in the world that takes place just once every four years, will begin soon in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia. While each of the host nations would want to present top-notch basketball entertainment, they desire to show off the best of what their country, and of course, their people, can offer ” the LOC said in a statement.
“In the Philippines, the “bayanihan” spirit – the concept of working as one to attain a common good – is very much alive and made all the more apparent through the Volunteers Program.”
Volunteers Program committee head Art Aro said they used four main criterias in their search: must be a Philippine resident, at least 18 years old, fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and willing to render a minimum of 10 consecutive shifts. Those who fit the criteria underwent interviews, and those who made the cut were signed up.
The volunteers also underwent training programs centered on developing a customer-centric mindset in partnership with Department of Tourism and Department of Foreign Affairs.
The LOC tapped Mr Joey Pacheco, one of the most sought-after training consultants in the country, to help in the program.
“Sustaining engagement activities will still be conducted even during their actual volunteer work to continually refresh and reinforce the concepts learned during their trainings,” Aro said.
So far, the Volunteers Program has already garnered high praise from FIBA officials, according to LOC Deputy Event Director Erika Dy.
Dy also claimed the program went the extra mile to ensure smooth operations, particularly at the game venues.
“Aside from the usual venue services, we are supplementing with spectator services. The team will be really customer-facing; they will lead all ushers, gatekeepers, everybody else that faces the fans at the venue; they will be in charge of all the entrances, have maps for that,” she added.
