The run-up to the Commonwealth Games has seen its share of controversy. In the middle of all the negativity, a group of young sports students have come to Delhi all the way from the United Kingdom with the aim of not only participating in the event but also supporting the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee.
Leeds Metropolitan University organised a conference at the British Council, where Jayashree Raghuram, manager, Leeds Met South Asia office, addressed a team of 14 Leeds Met sports students and staff who will take part as volunteers in the Commonwealth Games. “Our university encourages global exposure and volunteering is one of the brilliant ways for that,” said Raghuram.
Not only this, Leeds Metropolitan's sportspersons will be representing their country in the forthcoming games in New Delhi.
The members of the team are studying a gamut of Leeds Met Courses, including physical education, sport development, and sport and exercise science. They will partake in volunteering with the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and their role during the games will be highly specific.
At the conference, three members from the team spoke about their aim and role at the Games. Angela Batty, project manager, who is also heading the group, said they have received the basic information regarding their roles in the games and will be trained for the same next week. The team is in the Capital for the last 10 days and has visited several sites in Delhi to get familiar with the place.
Adam Batty, an undergraduate at the university, said the team feels lucky to get such an opportunity that will provide them an international exposure. “Such exposure will be an add-on to our experience and will increase their employability skills,” said Adam Batty.
The university has had a fulfilling and successful foray into student volunteering in India as they have effectively led a group of student volunteers to the Youth Games in 2008 in Pune, giving them the unique opportunity to gain invaluable experience by aiding in the organisation of a global sports event.
