Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 11, 1990                   TAG: 9007110406
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

STATE GAMES

But judging from the past week's events in the Roanoke Valley, Virginia still knows how to follow. The CorEast State Games were a solid success and should be even better next year.

Worth noting, too, is that the event put in the shade the Richmond-based Sports Virginia's games, held a week earlier in the state capital. (Nothing wrong with a little healthy competition, right?) The Roanoke Valley's version proved itself the true statewide games, and should be officially sanctioned as such.

There were glitches in the games, but these appear to have been relatively minor. Few had to do with the way the different competitions were conducted, more with the various ceremonies. Understandably, the planners had games and athletes more in mind than panoply and pomp. The latter aspects are important as well, and it's unlikely they'll be neglected in the future.

One does not summon up more than 4,500 young athletes and hold competitions in 29 sports at the snap of a finger. Years of preparation went into the inaugural games, for which much credit is deserved.

Doug Fonder, executive director of Virginia Amateur Sports, sold others - including prime sponsor CorEast and local legislators - on the concept. The General Assembly provided $175,000 on condition the backers match it; they did that and more, leaving a small surplus for next year.

Virginia Amateur Sports board members put in long hours of work. Their chairman, Roanoke lawyer Ken King, was full of praise for how valley governments and businesses opened their doors (and often, pocketbooks) for the games.

Hospitality is made easier, of course, when an event gives a boost to the local economy. The CorEast State Games' budget was over half a million dollars, and that does not count spending by participants and their families while in the valley.

Amateur sports can be major promotional draws for the areas where they're held. Look just at the successes of three events held this year in conjunction with Roanoke's Festival in the Park: the long-established Dominion 5K and 10K runs, WDBJ's second bicycle race and Crestar's third annual soccer tournament.

On top of that, such events are fun. They add to the life of the valley.

One of King's goals is to see the Roanoke Valley become a center for a particular sport, with athletes coming here from all over the Earth to compete for medals and titles. There is a world of sports to choose from: The list accepted for the Olympics grows every four years.

And there is something energizing about having those strong, vibrant and positive young people come into the community. Let the games, whatever they may be, go on.