One of the most premier junior basketball tournaments in the province kicked off this week, with the City of 麻豆精选 lucky enough to play host.
The Junior All-Native Tournament (JANT) held its opening ceremonies at the UBC Okanagan gymnasium on the evening of March 20, with action beginning the following day. UBCO was chosen as one of four venues to host the competition across the city, joining 麻豆精选 Secondary, Rutland Secondary, and Okanagan Mission Secondary.
麻豆精选 Mayor Colin Basran said in a welcome letter that the city is 鈥渉onoured鈥� that the Okanagan Nation has been given a chance to hold such a major event.
And for good cause - there is an estimated 870 athletes taking part in this week鈥檚 tournament, from a total of 65 teams, aged 9-17, a welcome number of participants in a tournament that has been cancelled due to the pandemic for two years.
鈥淭his annual tournament is about much more than basketball, it is a thread that has connected our communities for many years,鈥� said JANT Tournament Director Tara Montgomery. 鈥淲e鈥檙e so excited to be able to host JANT on our beautiful Syilx territory 鈥� to finally come together as Nations, not just to compete, but to hold up our children, culture, and communities. It also provides an opportunity to foster and promote wellness, sportsmanship, leadership, and nation pride amongst First Nations youth, and in light of the 215, celebrating our children is so important.鈥�
First Nations Health Authority CEO Richard Jock added that the authority is 鈥渆xtremely aware of the profound impacts that COVID-19 has had on First Nation people鈥檚 health, and so understand just how important this year鈥檚 Junior All Native Tournament is for the youth and communities.鈥�
Complete with both a shooting contest and a three-point contest, the tournament culminates in championship matchups on March 25 at KSS, with awards to follow.
麻豆精选 last played host to the tournament in 2017.
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