By By Rocky Higginbotham/The Meridian Star
June 14, 2001
The 10th annual State Games of Mississippi begins Friday, but the workload for organizers and volunteers has been lightened just a tad with the cancellation of three sports.
Gymnastics, which was originally scheduled to take place Friday at the Pat Gray Academy of Dance and Gymnastics, was called off; as were the Judo and Western Pleasure competitions.
The State Games, Mississippi's largest amateur sportsfest, still has 24 sporting events scheduled throughout the next two weekends at 20 locations around the Meridian and East Mississippi area.
First-year executive director April Luke said State Games officials canceled the Gymnastics and Western Pleasure events for this year because of a lack of numbers.
This is not the first time the State Games Gymnastics competition has not been held. But the Western Pleasure event, a newly-added division of the Equestrian competition, was originally set to take place June 23 at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center.
The Mule and Donkey Show, another newly-added Equestrian division, is still scheduled to take place on June 24, also at the Agri-Center.
The Judo competition, Luke said, was canceled because officials could not get the mats necessary for the sport which also attracted approximately 30 participants.
This year's State Games kicks off with the Opening Ceremonies and Parade of Athletes Friday night at Meridian's Ray Stadium.
Rocky Higginbotham is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at rhigginbotham@themeridianstar.com.