Emirates Foundation’s ‘Takatof’ partners with 2013 Fifa U-17 World Cup

As part of its continuous efforts to support local and global sports initiatives in the UAE, Emirates Foundation, at a press conference held in Abu Dhabi, announced its partnership with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 2013 Fifa U-17 World Cup, one of the most anticipated international sports event to be organised in the UAE from October 17 to November 8.

The agreement, signed between Maytha Al Habsi, Chief Programmes Officer, Emirates Foundation, and Mohammed Bin Bdoua, Tournament Director, Local Organising Committee, is set to assign 250 volunteers from Emirates Foundation’s leading programme, Takatof, to support the organisers of the contest in the smooth and successful running of this high profile sports event.

The 2013 Fifa U-17 World Cup tournament will take place throughout the seven Emirates and, in addition to the host UAE teams, will include 23 countries who qualified from six separate continental competitions.

Speaking at the press conference, Maytha Al Habsi said, "At Emirates Foundation, we continually strive to develop comprehensive strategies that are aimed at encompassing a wide array of initiatives, to promote and enhance our youths’ volunteerism capacities in order to serve their society in the best possible ways. Building on our long standing strategy of forging long term partnerships with numerous local and international organisations, I am delighted to sign this agreement with the LOC of 2013 Fifa U-17 World Cup, in order to ensure the successful organisation of a remarkable event that the UAE is hosting this year."

She added, "Takatof’s 250 volunteers are set to provide on-the-ground logistical support to the participating teams, in addition to managing the flow of spectators and guiding them to their favourite teams’ games. Realising the important role that our volunteers will play at those tournaments, we have agreed with the LOC to schedule intensive training and development sessions leading up to the tournaments. As the UAE plays host to this international sports event, we, at Emirates Foundation, will dedicate the time and efforts to ensure the successful organisation and completion of the competition."

The involvement of ‘Takatof’ volunteers in this international event will provide a great opportunity to develop and enhance their leadership and communications traits, since they will be in direct contact with global teams.

Commenting on the signing of the agreement with Emirates Foundation, Mohammed Bin Bdoua, Tournament Director, Local Organising Committee, said, "We are delighted to involve Takatof’s volunteers in this exciting and high profile international sports event. Their role is very important in all aspects, especially in ensuring that the flow of the tournaments and spectator management is conducted in a smooth and flawless manner."

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