Doha, 18 Dec. 2022 (QT)

“I feel so fortunate to be part of the largest ever recruitment programme for volunteers in Qatar for any sport event. Only 20,000 volunteers from 145 countries were selected for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 out of the 420,000 applicants from 207 countries,” said Ashraf Siddiqui, 72, a Pakistani journalist in Qatar and one of the oldest volunteers above the age of 70 at World cup Qatar 2022.

“I think I am one of the oldest volunteers at World Cup Qatar 2022,” he said.

Ashraf Siddiqui has been volunteering since a young age with social and cultural activities back home in Pakistan. He has been part of Rawalpindi Rotary Club, a world-renowned NGO. During his stay in Saudi Arabia in the 1970’s and 1980’s, he had been contributing his time to serve the pilgrims under the Pakistani
community forum ‘Al Ahbab’.

Later, he continued his volunteering in the United Arab Emirates. However, since he has been in Qatar for the last 15 years, he says he has found Qatar so different and a country that provides opportunities to expatriate communities through its various institutions including Qatar Red Crescent, National Human Rights Committee and Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), where people like him can easily engage in volunteer services.

He thanked the community outreach programmes of the SC and the Ministry of Interior for involving communities in healthy social, cultural and educational awareness programmes on a regular basis.

Talking on the FIFA World Cup 2022 hosted by Qatar, Ashraf Siddiqui thanked the SC and FIFA for selecting him among one of the most lucky 20,000  volunteers.

He said that in the beginning, 58,000 volunteers, including 10,000 from outside Qatar, were short-listed out of the 420,000 applicants. Out of them, 4,000 volunteers from abroad and 16,000 from Qatar, comprising 145 nationals, were selected.

These volunteers served in almost 30 different positions and 45 disciplines helping deliver an amazing experience in sectors such as Spectator Services, Work Force Management, Ceremonies, Competition Management, Special Events, Last Mile, Venue Management, Corniche Activation, Cultural Experience, FIFA Fan Festival, Guest Operations, Hayya Programme, Hospitality, Broadcasting, Media Operations, TV Operations, Access Management, Accommodation, Accreditation, Arrivals and Departures, Catering, Health and Safety, Language Services, Sustainability, Team and Referee Services, Ticketing, Transport
and Workers Welfare, among others.

Ashraf Siddiqui served at Al Janoub Stadium, a uniquely-designed stadium with 40,000 seats. Ashraf Siddiqui said his group included volunteers from Brazil, Azerbaijan, Sudan, India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Pakistan.

He met hundreds of volunteers including Hubert Bihler, 76, a German national and dedicated volunteer, participating in his 5th FIFA World Cup and has participated as volunteer in over 55 mega sports events.

“Playing my role as a volunteer in the mega event was also to inspire the young Pakistanis to come forward and provide their services for the success of the grand event,” he said.

‘I pay my personal gratitude for the very special and five-star services made available for the elderly and the families with kids. Despite being a volunteer, I was fully taken care of right from the metro and bus services to the stadium security entrance.

I fully enjoyed and tried my best to contribute to making the tournament most memorable for the fans and visitors,” Siddiqui added.