Special Olympics holds annual basketball tournament

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Almost a dozen local teams gathered Friday for the 2023 Special Olympics basketball tournament.

The tournament was held at the McCallie School. Special Olympics partnered with several local schools including: Hixson High School, Signal Mountain Middle and High School, Ridgeland High School and Chattanooga Christian.

They also partnered with local organizations such as Orange Grove and Chattanooga’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Each partner bought out teams to compete in a full day of games until a winning team was crowned.

Area Director Judy Rogers has worked with Special Olympics for over 50 years, and is excited to give disabled people an opportunity to compete.

“You’re not going to find these people on your varsity basketball teams at the schools, or on a community team anywhere. They have no place to compete. So Special Olympics offers them an opportunity to compete in the sports they want to compete in, and today that’s basketball,” said Rogers.

The Special Olympics holds events and tournaments in over 30 different sports. The list includes familiar favorites such as football, hockey, bowling and tennis. But there are also some surprises such as figure skating, bocce and equestrian.

If you are interested in getting involved with the Special Olympics, you can visit their site: https://www.specialolympics.org/what-we-do/sports/sports-offered?locale=en