GYMFEST: True of soccer, too

It was great to see front-page coverage of a great youth sporting event like the Northwest Gym Fest. The story mentioned that the event brings "over 47 teams, and 900 girls" to the area.

I think this is fantastic, and illustrates how important youth athletic competitions are to our community. THAT many visitors can't help but be a boon to the local economy, and I am glad that The Press has chosen to point it out.

Having said that, however, I would like to point out that the Coeur d'Alene Sting Soccer club has held an annual tournament every May, for more than a decade. This tournament brings more than 150 soccer teams and more than 2,500 athletes to the area from British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, Western Washington and Southern Idaho. That does not include the coaches of these teams, or the parents and families who accompany the players.

It would be fantastic to see a front-page article and photos of the Bill Eisenwinter Memorial Hot Shot tournament later this spring, to raise awareness of the popularity of this sport and the economic benefit it brings to our community.

MARK PATTON

Coeur d'Alene