U. Ahamed Sulaiman (40) is elated over the opportunity he got to work as ‘Games Maker’, a volunteer task, in the Rio Olympic Games – 2016 in Brazil. The native of Kayalpattinam in Thoothukudi district was appointed by Olympics Organising Committee as ‘Games Maker’ for Equestrian events, which commenced on August 6. His role involves field arrangements and coordination in the conduct of the game, along with organising officials.
“I was doubly happy after sharing the field with my fellow ‘Games Makers’ from the host nation at the main gate of the event initially,” Mr. Sulaiman told The Hindu over phone on Sunday. Terming his participation in the event a ‘proud moment’, he thanked his team leader, Maigul, for having given him an opportunity to work alongside the 2,000 and odd event staff drawn from various countries.
He said though Brazilians had a different culture, they were very friendly and social. The selection process was tedious as it took three years. “Ahead of the London Olympics in 2012, I got selected as Games Maker, but I could not get visa in time,” he said.
Since his adolescent days, he said, he had developed a passion for athletics and wanted to achieve something great in the field of sports.
As an international marathon runner, he participated in the events on seven occasions in Dubai and other parts of the United Arab Emirates while working in Dubai.
“I am willing to continue my work in the upcoming Paralympics. The same host country has scheduled to host the Paralympic games in September,” he said.
Around four lakh candidates had applied, and 70,000 of them were chosen after various stages of scrutiny
