The eyes of the world are on Ottawa this month with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 in our own backyard and a trio of siblings will be amongst the 300 volunteers who will help deliver a world-class event.
The game of soccer has had a big influence on the Sunba family. Fajir, 26, Faysal, 30, Noora, 33, all grew up either playing or supporting the game with their many cousins. Their father’s job as a dental surgeon enabled them to move around the Middle East, and when they settled in Ottawa in the late ’90s their passion for soccer followed.
“We grew up with soccer, so to have (the world cup) in a nation that is not soccer oriented, it’s so exciting to show them what the game is all about,” said Noora, a biologist with Health Canada who is part of the management team coordinating the volunteers. “And it’s the first time we’re hosting it, it’s huge for Canada and for Ottawa too. It’s FIFA’s party but I want to show what a great host we are.”
Along with their passion for the game, they also bring a rich history of volunteerism with them, including their experience working the FIFA U-20 World Cup when Ottawa hosted in 2007.
Fajir saw that event as a chance to hone her communications skills, so she volunteered in the media department. She now works in the public relations field and will continue with the same role during this world cup to build on her experience.
“Getting the chance to work with FIFA here in our home town was a dream come true because not a lot of people can say they worked with FIFA and get that experience,” she said. “For me I stuck to my field because I’d like to get more hands-on experience, but for my brother and my sister they wanted to branch out a little bit and get experience in a different field.”
Faysal works as an engineer at the Department of National Defence by day and is a youth program volunteer during the games, chaperoning the children who have roles as flag bearers and escorting players onto the field.
All three agree there are several perks to their volunteer gig. In addition to padding a resume, there’s also the opportunity to not only meet athletes from around the world, but also get to see behind the scenes and see how they train before the big matches — not to mention they get to keep their uniforms as a reminder of their special experience.
Faysal says that volunteering for a big event like FIFA shows kids that you don’t necessarily have to become a professional athlete to be involved in the sport you love. In his case, his dream would be to one day work for the international organization.
“You don’t necessarily have to go pro but if you love the sport itself then go for it, there’s nothing to stop you,” he said.
