Aflac sponsors nationally-televised outdoor games

By ANDREA V. HERNANDEZ - ahernandez@ledger-enquirer.com --

Columbus residents are in for some outdoor fun this summer.

Aflac Inc. has signed a two-year deal as title sponsor of the Aflac Outdoor Games, the company announced this week.

This year's event will be held in Columbus from June 27 to 29 and will feature a number of outdoor sports competitions, including the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series. The series, which will be nationally televised on ESPN2 and ESPNU, includes events like Hot Saw, Underhand Chop, Speed Climb, Springboard and Boom Run.

The Collegiate Championship for STIHL TIMBERSPORTS will be held at the event.

"The event will help showcase Columbus to a national audience while providing families an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and witness some exciting sports entertainment," Paul Amos II, Aflac U.S. president and chief operating officer, said in a statement.

Aflac Outdoor Games, which will be held at the South Commons Softball Complex, will also host local and national barbecue cooking contests, including the 2008 Pig Bowl event.

Finally, there will be sporting competitions for dogs. Canines will go head to head in a "DockDogs" event, where dogs leap from a platform across a pool of water. There will also be champion Agility Dog demonstrations.

Local residents will be able to compete in the barbecue contest and dog event.

"This is a great opportunity for Columbus to have such a world-class event come to the area," Warner Neal, president for Outdoor Events, said in statement. "This is a terrific opportunity not only for Columbus, but for the surrounding community."

Advance tickets per day are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 12. Children under 5 get in free. Military rates and passes, family and multi-day packages are available.

To order tickets, register in a competition or find out more, visit www.aflacoutdoorgames.com.