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Special Olympics basketball tournament starts Friday

ESCANABA — The 2017 Special Olympics Michigan District Basketball Tournament will begin Friday, Feb. 24, and continue through Saturday at Escanaba High School, according to organizers of the event.

Dorothy Kollmann, Special Olympics chairperson for the Escanaba Noon Kiwanis Club, said participants from all across the Upper Peninsula are expected to attend. Male and female athletes of various abilities, ages 16 and up will compete in the basketball tournament.

“This is our 40th year sponsoring this event and this year we are expecting around 350 people, including athletes, coaches and chaperones,” said Kollmann. She added Kiwanians organize and recruit volunteers from their club and from other Kiwanis clubs in the community for most of the event. Special Olympics Coordinator Joyce Destrampe of Area 1 Special Olympics arranges registration, game schedule and trophies for the athletes.

Registration and dinner for participants begins at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at the Escanaba High School, with opening ceremonies for the tournament scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. The games will start at approximately 6:30 p.m. and a dance featuring the band of Dan McDonald will follow from 7 – 9 p.m. The games continue Saturday morning beginning at 8:30 a.m. with lunch served at 11:30 a.m. and closing ceremonies around 3 p.m.

Teams will receive medals and ribbons and top qualifiers will be able to compete downstate. Special Olympics Michigan provides year round sports training and athletic competition for almost 22,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Athletes build physical fitness, develop self-confidence and prepare for participation in community sports programs.

The public is invited to attend. There is no cost for admission, and the concession stand will be available Friday and all day Saturday.

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