By Sportswriter Zhang Han

    DOHA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The 74-year-old Virginia Roberts traveled across seven time zones from Texas, the United States, to make herself a part of the Asian Games which opens on Friday.

    "In my thoughts, if you get something from the community, you should do something in return to pay back," said one of the oldest volunteers here, who has 14 grandchildren.

    Roberts works at the Al Arabi Indoor Hall, which hosts the Asian Games table tennis competitions from Nov. 29 to Dec. 7.

    It wasn't Roberts' choice to work for the ping-pong venue, but she was excited to see world top players from the Chinese team in action.

    "Though table tennis is not popular in America, I like the sport very much and I know that China are very good," said the elegant lady with silver hair.

    "I'll keep myself here, listen so clearly to your cheers for China and share your happiness," added Virginia, who checks the ID at the media tribune entrance.

    "I'd like to do every job they want me to do," she said. "It's really exciting to be part of the games."

    Roberts, who came to Doha last June with her husband, an engineer working for the Doha Airport on a two-year stint, has been lingering long in Asia since 2000.

    She had vacationed in Taipei for two weeks in 2004 and spent a whole year in Inchon, South Korea, as her husband helped the city rebuild the airport.

    Roberts said her husband would finish his work here just ahead of the 2008 Olympics and she hoped to work in Beijing.

    "It'll be very honored for me if I am offered the chance of being a volunteer of Beijing Games," she said.