Throughout the Games, Ismaili volunteers maintained a visible presence as Olympic Ambassadors, welcoming the world to Vancouver. Donning green jackets emblazoned with the official Olympics 2010 logo and “Ismaili Volunteers” on the front, they answered questions, provided directions, and managing queues and crowds in Vancouver City Centre.

Hakam Bhaloo

Riyaz Lalani

The Olympic Ambassadors initiative was part of a broader strategic partnership between the Ismaili community and VANOC, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Riyaz Lalani

Some Ismaili volunteers also received specialized training from the Olympic Organizing Committee to chauffeur senior government officials and ministers, including the Honourable Mary McNeil, Minister of State for the Olympics.

Hakam Bhaloo

“Our VANOC accreditation, which reads ‘Host – Ismaili Volunteers, Ismaili Council for BC,' was issued under the auspices of OCOG, the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games,” says Nizar Ali Shivji, a proud accredited Ismaili Volunteer. “As Ismaili hosts, [it gave] us the opportunity to welcome the world to Vancouver. We have become a very visible venue team at Vancouver City Centre... welcoming people and providing information and directions, and most of all offering them our hospitality. This has given us a fantastic opportunity to build new relationships and serve our community while feeling a strong sense of pride and belonging!”