Young IPL volunteers have a ball at work

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Nineteen-year-old Shristi Tewari from NIFT is not a cricket buff and has never watched a match on TV, let alone watching the match live at a stadium. But as the entire capital revels in the IPL thrills at the Kotla, Shristi has a reason to be part of IPL matches as well — she is a volunteer at the stadium’s protocol section. And like Shristi, there are around 200 others selected via the open volunteer programme organised recently by the Delhi Daredevils on their official Facebook fan page.
Working as the protocol operation manager and escorting high-profile guests and dignitaries, Shristi has developed a bent for cricket matches by watching them live at the stadium. “My friends were part of the volunteer team during the World Cup matches, which prompted me to take up this job. It’s hectic but fun. Also, as college was turning monotonous, this came by as an exciting break. Besides the extra money, it’s a glamorous extravaganza, where you get to interact with high-profile guests. I recently met Robert Vadra and Mukesh Ambani and it was great interacting with them,” she gushes, adding that once the IPL gets over, she would spend her earnings on shopping.
The role of volunteers has been divided into five areas: spectator services, venue and workforce operations, media centre, transportation and accommodation of athletes, and the protocol area which manages high-profile guests, celebrities, politicians and industrialists.
Sagar Pruti’s job as a volunteer coordinator is a challenging one. The 21-year-old is the director of Flyp, the agency in charge of hiring volunteers. “We chose presentable people aged between 18 to 24 years, who could work till late, as most matches begin at 8 pm.”
And the valuable experience also lends weight to his CV. “Taking charge of all helpers and their security is a challenging responsibility. But the best part is that I get to escort players to practice area, press conferences and other activities. It was good to interact with Virender Sehwag and Irfan Pathan. A quick chat with your favourite stars makes your day.”
Besides being paid `150 per match and `250 for refreshments every day, the volunteers have been given kits which consists of a Delhi Daredevils T-shirt, cap, track pants, backpack and a utility bag. And for 20-year-old business student Kashish Malik (a volunteer in the protocol section), it’s like a get-together with friends. He says, “All my close friends work here as volunteers, so it’s like coming to the matches with them.”
Seconds Pulkit Handa from College of Business Studies and a volunteer with New Club House, which provides hospitality to VVIPs, and says it will help him take up event management as a career. “I like organising events and it will help me develop my skills,” he sums up.