Tokens of appreciation given to volunteers at the SEA Games – from pins and T-shirts to complimentary tickets to Universal Studios Singapore (USS) – have appeared for sale on platforms like Carousell and Gumtree.
Individuals who have put up their items for sale have drawn criticism from other volunteers, as well as the Singapore SEA Games Organising Committee (SINGSOC).
Rostam Umar, SINGSOC’s chief of manpower and games engagement, told TODAY that the tickets to USS had been given to volunteers in the hopes of strengthening bonds while having a “fun day out”, and that he was disappointed to find these tickets on sale.
“Volunteering is a deliberate act of the sincere desire to serve the community, without any expectation of any tangible reward. We should not cheapen volunteers’ appreciation night with volunteers selling their tickets,” a SEA Games volunteer was quoted as saying in TODAY.
SINGSOC has not said if it will take any action. A spokesperson from Resorts World Sentosa said that the USS tickets were stated as “non-transferable and not for sale or exchange.”
