Alabama’s Randy Owen to Co-Chair the 2022 World Games
Sweet Home Alabama!
Alabama front man Randy Owen will soon join the best athletes on the planet as they go for gold, named as the Honorary Co-Chair of The World Games 2022 Birmingham.
An Olympic-style competition drawing athletes from all over the world compete in 34 “unique, multi-disciplinary sports,” the games will invite 3,600 athletes from more than 100 countries to Owen’s home state. The city of Birmingham will serve as host with more than 25 sporting venues booked around the area, and 2022 marks the 40th year of the event.
As co-chair of the 10-day competition, Owen will take part in events throughout the Games — including the opening and closing ceremonies — and he’ll be joined by NBA all-star and fellow Alabama native, Charles Barkley. Composer and Birmingham native Dr. Henry Panion will also co-chair, along with more Alabaman celebrities to be announced.
“I’m so honored to join my fellow outstanding Alabamians – Charles Barkley, Dr. Henry Panion, and those yet to be announced – in helping bring this event to Alabama,” says Owen. “The people in our state have made a tremendous impact on my life and career, and I’m happy to show the world what Alabama is all about. Our people are as diverse as the landscape in our beautiful state. It is my hope that we are able to bring that uniqueness to the forefront and let the light of Alabama shine out into the world.”
The country singer grew up on a farm that his family still owns today on the famous Lookout Mountain in Alabama, and went on to name his record-setting country band in the state’s honor. Alabama is now regarded as one of the most influential groups in country history, fusing its traditional roots with a rock sound and arena-sized showmanship. Along with fellow members Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook, the band are now Country Hall of Famers with 43 Number One singles and 21 Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum albums, and they were even named the Country Group of the Century by the RIAA.
“My wife, Kelly, and I raised our family in Alabama,” explains Randy Owen. “Our children all graduated from Alabama universities: Jacksonville State (Alison), Samford (Heath), and Auburn (Randa). ‘My Home’s in Alabama’ isn’t just a song or lyrics on a page. My home and heart will always be in Alabama, and now it is the home of The World Games 2022!”
The World Games 2022 Birmingham are set for July 7-17, 2022.
