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Tribune News Network
Doha
IT proved to be an unforgettable experience for eight 2022 FIFA World Cup construction workers, as they were given the chance to attend the World Cup in Russia as ambassadors of the Generation Amazing programme.
The workers from India, Ghana, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were selected based on their outstanding contributions to the programme, as well as their journey from participants to coaches over two years with Generation Amazing in Qatar. They have now become an inspiration to others after their five-day trip to Russia.
Generation Amazing is the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy's (SC) flagship corporate social responsibility programme. Established during Qatar's bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, it has been changing lives through the power of football since 2010, and forms a key part of the SC's legacy commitment.
Bhulinder Singh, from India, was attending his first FIFA World Cup and thanked Generation Amazing for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"We have enjoyed this experience a lot," he said."We have made new friends from different countries and it was amazing to attend our first World Cup match. We are blessed to have had this opportunity and I would like to thank Generation Amazing for this unique chance."
Together with his colleagues, Singh flew the flag for Generation Amazing at the opening ceremony of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
He continued:"Qatar has given us this opportunity, and we know that Generation Amazing is a platform to change the lives of thousands of people. We are bringing about social change by organising workshops and activities in our communities in Doha, and using football to help develop people's life skills."
In addition to attending the opening match of the tournament, the group also benefitted from leadership workshops with 2010 FIFA World Cup winner and SC ambassador Xavi Hernandez who conducted a football session for local schoolchildren.
Xavi said:"We have workers here from Qatar, but the programme also helps people in their home countries. As the name suggests, I think this programme is spectacular, so I am proud to have shared this experience with this group. To be at a World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I too am learning a lot every day from all those taking part in this fantastic project."
For those Generation Amazing ambassadors attending the opening week of the World Cup in Moscow, the focus was on learning from the unique experience to pass their knowledge on to others in Doha and their home countries.
"The programme develops the skills that we have in us," explained Sadique Rahman, from India."Generation Amazing discovered these capabilities and supported us to reach the top level."
In addition to the group of workers, Generation Amazing will also take 16 youth ambassadors from Qatar, India, the Philippines, Nepal and Pakistan to attend matches at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. This initiative follows on from similar Generation Amazing visits to South Africa in 2010, where 25 youth ambassadors travelled, and Brazil in 2014, where 22 youth ambassadors were involved.
