Submitted
The annual Special Olympics Kansas State Basketball and Cheerleading Tournament will be in Hays and Manhattan on March 17 and 18.
More than 2,000 athletes, coaches, volunteers and fans are expected to converge on the two cities for one of the largest events for individuals of all ages with intellectual disabilities in the state.
This year marks the 45th year the tournament has been in Hays out of the 51 years of basketball for Special Olympics Kansas. The tournament was not held in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is the first year the eastern half of the state will play its portion of the tournament in Manhattan.
“Special Olympics Kansas is proud to continue our annual tradition of hosting our amazing athletes in Hays for what is one of our largest events of the calendar year,” said Special Olympics of Kansas President and CEO John Lair. “We are equally excited to start a new partnership with Manhattan. It is a thrill for us to be able to share the abilities and joy of competition and inclusion exhibited by our athletes.”
Teams qualified for the State Tournament through a series of Regional Tournaments that were in Great Bend, Haysville, Junction City, Olathe and Pittsburg.
As a team sport, basketball is the most participated sport within Special Olympics Kansas.
The primary competition venue in Hays is Gross Memorial Coliseum at Fort Hays State University. In Manhattan, the main venue is the Anthony Recreation Center.
The State Basketball and Cheerleading weekend festivities include a traditional 5v5 competition, cheerleading, opening ceremonies, individual skills competitions, free health screenings and a dinner and dance.
The Special Olympics Kansas State Basketball Tournament is supported by long-time presenting sponsor, the Kansas State Council of the Knights of Columbus, as well as event sponsors Fort Hays State University, Manhattan Parks and Recreation, Hays Recreation Commission, Hays USD 489, Dane G Hansen Foundation and Howe Family Foundation.
Statewide sponsors of Special Olympics Kansas include Sunderland Foundation, Deluxe Checks, Stanion Wholesale Electric, Club Car Wash, and Heartland Coca-Cola.
For more information about the State Basketball and Cheerleading Tournament or to find out how you can support the event, contact Special Olympics Kansas COO Chris Burt at 913-600-2240 or [email protected].