Volunteer balancing awe with work

When Wu Beili saw her favorite table tennis player, Ding Ning, walk past the preparation area where she serves as a volunteer at the 2015 World Table Tennis Championships, she struggled to hold back the urge to take a selfie with the star paddler.

"She is my favorite star growing up playing the game, but working here as a volunteer, and not a fan, I should focus on the job professionally," Wu, a graduate student at Soochow University, told China Daily on Monday.

With the world's best players in Suzhou for the individual worlds, the public's enthusiasm was made evident when tickets on Monday sold out very early.

However, Wu has one of the best seats in the house as she works as a member of the timing and scoring crew at table-side.

"Actually, I can't follow the players too much as I have to keep my eyes fixed on the flying ball and react as soon as possible to update the score on the computer once the rally is finished," she said.

With more and more international sporting events being held in China, enthusiastic volunteers are sometimes criticized for their star-worshipping behavior.

Bai Yuzhu, an official with the Communist Youth League's Suzhou municipal committee, stressed the 810 volunteers working at the competition had received lessons on discipline and etiquette.

"I am sure they will stick to their post and provide professional services without behaving improperly," said Bai.

"Volunteering shouldn't be used as an advantage to idolize stars," said Wu, who was a member of the title-winning team at the world high school championships in Malta in 2008.

According to Bai, more than 1,000 students were recruited from four local universities in Suzhou to serve at the tournament. A crew of 15 students with table tennis skills, including Wu from the Physical Education College of SU, work as assistants for technical officials.

By Sun Xiaochen