[1/21/04]The Mississippi Soccer Association’s annual meeting will be held in Vicksburg Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 for the first time this year.

The meeting is usually held in Jackson every year. Where major, state-wide soccer tournaments will be held this year is decided at that meeting.

The local soccer association is seeking sponsorships for the event which will be at the Vicksburg Convention Center and will include an awards dinner on Jan. 31 at Ameristar Hotel Casino.

Lynn Foley, speaking before the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen, said the soccer group is looking for $4,000 for the event. She said the sponsorship would be in line with the mission set out by the Vicksburg Warren Community Alliance to bring more sport and recreational activities to Vicksburg.

City officials said they will consider the request, but took no action on it at Tuesday’s board meeting.

Foley said the state association will vote at the meeting on the location of at least four major tournaments that could bring thousands of people. She said the local soccer association has already submitted a bid for one of those tournaments and hopes that by bringing the meeting to Vicksburg that they will be more likely to get other events here.