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Special Olympics Kansas to bring state level competition to Pittsburg

Flag Football and Powerlifting State Tournament to be held at Pittsburg High School

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Special Olympics Kansas (SOKS) State Powerlifting and Flag Football will be held in Pittsburg on July 21 and 22. Athletes, coaches and families will travel in from around the state to compete in the two different state level Special Olympics competitions. 

This event will feature two firsts for SOKS as it will be the first state-level flag football tournament and the first state-level sport of any kind to be hosted by SOKS in Pittsburg. The organization has a strong history in the region with the first-ever SOKS hosted competition taking place in Parsons in 1970 and a strong regional competition base in and around Pittsburg.

“We are excited to bring state powerlifting and the inaugural state flag football tournament to Pittsburg and the community. It’s been a priority of ours to spread competitions to all regions of Kansas and share the joy of our competitions with people state-wide,” said SOKS President and CEO, John Lair. “This will hopefully be the first of many years of this event in Pittsburg as it grows into a premier competition for the program and region.”

On Friday, July 21, State Powerlifting competitions will begin at noon at Pittsburg High School. The day will conclude with a traditional Special Olympics Kansas Victory Dinner and Dance. Concluding the two-day event, State Flag Football is scheduled to take place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 22.

Special Olympics Kansas is dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports competitions, health and nutrition programs and leadership development. Offering year-round initiatives to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics Kansas is a platform for acceptance and inclusion as well as one of the largest advocates for healthy lifestyles in the state — regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or cultural differences.

It is their mission to use sports to allow challenges and opportunities to be introduced to the participants, teaching them teamwork, decision making, leadership, goal-setting, perseverance, commitment and sportsmanship, while developing self-confidence, self-esteem, character, and integrity.

Information on volunteering or supporting the event can be found at soks.org/sports/state-competitions/state-powerlifting-and-flag-football.

For more information, contact Chris Burt via email at burtc@soks.org or by calling 913-600-2240.