More than 1,200 athletes were welcomed to 麻豆精选 and the Syilx Nation during the opening ceremony of the Jr. All Native Tournament (JANT) on Mar. 16.
The ceremony was held at 2 p.m. in the University of B.C. Okanagan gymnasium. Local Syilx teams were introduced ahead of teams that travelled from across the province to play in the First Nations basketball tournament for youth aged six to 17.
Tournament Director Tara Montgomery said this is the largest JANT to date with 114 teams registered.
"In 2017... Our head coach had asked that we expand the tournament to have a 13-and-under division, so that has really grown the sport," Montgomery added that this year the tournament has included "littles", a division for children aged six to 10.
Games are scheduled to take place in school gymnasiums across 麻豆精选 from Mar. 17-21. Day and week passes can be purchased at 麻豆精选 Secondary School.
Find a full tournament schedule and other details at jant.ca.
