Abu Dhabi: One of the top officials involved in the recruitment of volunteers for this weekend's Formula One race is thrilled to gauge the success of the programme in such a short span of time.
"When we launched the recruitment campaign, we thought that the biggest challenge will be recruiting more than 600 volunteers for the Formula One race.
"But as time went by, we found out that the campaign generated much more interest among UAE nationals than we expected," said Maytha Al Habsi, Communications Director, Emirates Foundation and Director of Takatof.
The Takatof programme for social volunteering is a nationwide programme run by the Emirates Foundation inspired by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Established in 2007, Takatof is meant to create a culture of volunteering throughout the country offering all UAE residents an opportunity to volunteer and support various activities that encourage community involvement and national identity.
Meaningful
"Takatof mobilises people and resources across the nation to find creative and sustainable solutions for proven community needs. Takatof particularly offers young people meaningful opportunities to volunteer for humanitarian, social and community programmes and participating in the Grand Prix this week is just another step in the right direction for us," Al Habsi stated.
Since the announcement of the volunteer programme, Takatof has managed to recruit and train more than 600 volunteers, many of them UAE nationals, to support various causes in the country.
Greetings
Visitors coming in for the race are being greeted by these volunteers at the airport and at crucial vantage points within the emirate.
"Our goal is to represent the UAE...and to be the local face of the race. We hope that the volunteers will be true ambassadors to the UAE and reflect its hospitality and true genuine culture," Al Habsi added.
"Our biggest challenge now is to accommodate all of those who wanted to volunteer for the event and provide them with the best training to prepare them for the big work."
