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STATEWIDE
GROWTH
As the awareness of the Georgia Games continues to grow,
the statewide District Sports Festivals attract athletes
of all ages and skill levels throughout the state. Cities
hosting the ten District Sports Festivals are benefiting
as well.
"The
entire state of Georgia benefits in many ways from the
phenomenal growth of the Georgia Games", said Abit
Massey, Chairman of the Georgia State Games Commission.
"The Games promote amateur athletics and physical
fitness throughout Georgia and provide significant
economic opportunities for the cities and counties that
host District and State Championship venues".
GEORGIA
RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION, INC.
In 1991, through a cooperative effort between the Georgia
Recreation and Park Association, Inc. (GRPA), and the
Georgia State Games Commission, competition expanded to
include 7,000 participants in the seven District Sports
Festivals in 1991. This partnership allows participants to
compete in their own area before competing in the Georgia
Games Championships in July. In 1998 total numbers grew to
include 18,000 athletes and over 2,000 volunteers. This
growth reflects a District Sports Festival participation
rate which has more than doubled over the past eight
years.
Charlie
Beale, Past President of GRPA, has also played an
instrumental role in identifying communities throughout
Georgia with needed facility upgrades. Approximately 22
Georgia organizations received grants through the Georgia
Games Capital Improvement Grant Program in 1996.
The
inception of The Georgia Sports Foundation, a non-profit
arm of the Georgia Georgia, will enable the
Georgia Games Capital Improvement Grant Program to
continue in the hope of developing additional
amateur athletic venues.
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