“Volunteers play a vital role at every world sporting event and they will be a key part of the 10th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), helping us to ensure it is an event of excellence that is fun, friendly and well-organised for spectators, athletes and media,” said Dr Ahmad.

“The contribution of volunteers will be vital in ensuring we are able to deliver an event that offers a high level of hospitality and service in keeping with our aims for the Championships, to showcase the United Arab Emirates, Dubai and the Championships in the best possible light.

“We are delighted to welcome Obaid and Eugenie as our first two volunteers; we thank them for their commitment, and invite others from all walks of life to join them.

“If you can bring with you a smile and plenty of enthusiasm then we want you to come and be part of the team that will bring Dubai 2010 to the world.”

Left to right, Dr Ahmad Al Sharif, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Lynne Bates the Chief Operating Officer of the Championships, volunteer Ms Eugenie Bestic, volunteer Obaid Ahmed Obaid Al Jasimi and Championships Director Obaid Salem Al Shamsi

Volunteers will receive training prior to the event to ensure they are well prepared to play a full part in what will be a first for Dubai in hosting the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m).

Obaid Ahmed swam for the UAE in the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and is set to captain the home nation’s team in December, but he is still keen to get involved to help make December’s Championships a success and to encourage others to do the same.

“It’s a first for swimming to have an event like this here in the UAE and if we want it to go well then we all have to work as one family,” he said.

“I want people to see me volunteering as well as participating and say ‘If Obaid can do it then why not me as well?’”

Eugenie Bestic, originally from Sydney, Australia, teaches physical education, including swimming, and has been in Dubai for five years.

“For me, coming from a country where swimming is a big sport, it’s so exciting that the World Championships are coming here to Dubai,” she said.

“It’s the first big swimming event for this country and it will be great to go and watch world-class athletes and also do whatever I can to help make the event a real success.”

Ms Bestic is also backing the Dubai Sports Council’s initiative to use the Championships as part of a promotional campaign to teach 10,000 children to swim.

“I’ve got two children, aged three and one, and I have already enrolled them into swim school,” she said.

“Learning to swim is so important for children’s safety in and around water and it is also a great way for them to get outside and have fun and be fit and healthy, even in the summertime,” she added.

All those wishing to get in on the action and learn more about becoming involved in the 10th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), please send an email to: volunteerdubai2010@umegroup.net.

Tickets for the 10th FINA World Swimming Championships are set to go on sale in late September.


Left to right, volunteer Ms Eugenie Bestic, Championships Director Obaid Salem Al Shamsi, volunteer Obaid Ahmed Obaid Al Jasimi and Dr Ahmad Al Sharif, the Chairman of the Organising Committee