Around 1,800 Volunteers will be recruited by the Equestrian Company to help make the Olympic Equestrian and Paralympic Events in August and September 2008 respectively in Hong Kong a smooth operation.

Those interested in applying to become a Volunteer can now register at www.equestrian2008.org.

At a Press Conference to kick off recruitment of the Volunteers today (November 23), Chief Executive Officer of the Equestrian Company, Mr. Lam Woon-kwong, said the objective of the Volunteers programme was to encourage and provide opportunity for the community to participate in and contribute to the Equestrian Events. It was the very first time that the Olympic and Paralympic Games would be held on Chinese soil, Mr. Lam added.

The role of the Volunteers is to complement the work of the full- and part-time staff. Their prime duties are to assist athletes, working staff, spectators, guests and other visitors in 2008 and in August next year, when the Test Events will be staged.

Mr. Lam said the Volunteers would undergo various types of training which included residential, weekend and evening training as well as on-site practice. Applicants can be persons of all nationalities who have the right to enter and stay in Hong Kong during the training and service periods. Residential training would be done over long holidays so as not to disrupt the Volunteers’ normal work.

While recruitment would be done in stages, Mr. Lam said, the first 90 to 100 Volunteers would be trained as leaders to help train the others. Proficiency in Cantonese, Putonghua and English is a prerequisite for these “trainer Volunteers”. Other preferences are strong IT skills, substantial professional working experience and the commitment to serve in the next 20 months.

They would be expected to serve from April next year until September 2008, when the Paralympics are over. About 800 to 900 Volunteers will be recruited each in the second and third batches. The Volunteers are required to work at competition venues, training venues and non-competition venues. The Olympic Equestrian Events will be held in Sha Tin and Sheung Shui while the Paralympics will be held in Sha Tin.

Deadline for application for the first batch is the end of December, 2006, with the results to be announced by the end of January 2007. Volunteers will not be paid, but will be provided with insurance coverage, uniforms, meals and transportation during the service.

They will be given appreciation and commendation with the award of Olympics and Paralympics certificates and badges. Individuals, groups and organizations with outstanding performances will be awarded commendations. Olympics and Paralympics souvenirs will be awarded according to service duration and level of contribution.

To support the “green” and “high-tech” Olympics, an on-line application is available via the Equestrian Company’s website: www.equestrian2008.org.

Relevant publicity leaflet and application forms are available at the Home Affairs Department’s Public Enquiry Counters from November 27, 2006.