Special Olympics Tennessee hosts basketball tournament for the first time in 4 years

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — It has been a busy week for basketball followers, with hundreds filling the streets of Broadway and the seats of Bridgestone Enviornment for the SEC match.

However this is not the one match on the town this weekend. For the primary time in 4 years, 200 athletes from throughout the state, will probably be competing as soon as once more on the Particular Olympics Tennessee State Basketball Match.

For coach La’Wanda Jenkins and her son, the return of the competitors means loads.

“It was a tragic interval. Trigger our youngsters see this as an enormous household. So it is a household reunion. So now our household reunion is again,” she mentioned.

The competitors was placed on pause for the previous few years because of the pandemic and climate associated occasions.

“Though it was troublesome, we simply stored saying y’all we will pray, we will play once more, we simply bought to carry out. Particular Olympics, they’ve to verify everyone is secure,” she mentioned.

Jenkins has been teaching the Sumner County Yellowjackets for a number of years and mentioned it is superb to see athletes competing with one another once more.

“Phrases can’t clarify and I am talking from a coach and my pleasure would not even examine to what the children undergo,” she mentioned.

It is a full sporting expertise that many Particular Olympics athletes solely see from time to time.

“We observe once in a while however simply with the ability to have referees, actual referees. Having a staff that you just play towards, not enjoying towards one another,” she mentioned.

And it isn’t all about taking residence a trophy for athletes.

“My youngsters it isn’t about profitable or shedding they identical to enjoying they take pleasure in seeing all of the individuals they have not seen in years,” Jenkins mentioned.

The match will proceed at Lipscomb College’s Allen Enviornment tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Admission is free and individuals are inspired to cease by to cheer on the athletes.