Tourism and tournament combo coming to Kamloops in September

KAMLOOPS – The Tournament Capital of Canada is going to hold at least 10 tournaments on one weekend this September.

The Tournament Capital Games will be hosted by the city, Tourism Kamloops and the Kamloops Sports Council as a weekend multi-sport competition with 10 or more different sports. Sean Smith, the city’s special events supervisor, says the city is using its position as sports hub to help grow tourism.

“It’s just brand new in the planning; it’s been an idea that’s been floating around for a few years now,” he says. “It’s a tourism initiative to grow interest in the off season when things aren’t in full swing.”

The games are planned for Sept. 8 to Sept. 10, as summer activities wind down, but before fall leagues start. The timing also means outdoor and indoor venues will be used.

“We’ve enlisted 10 or 11 local sports groups,” he says. “These are going to be open tournaments, if you will, for athletes of all ages in the adult category.”

The sports haven’t been finalized yet, but currently include women’s hockey, swimming and slow pitch. While the overall event is being quarterbacked by the city, the individual sports groups are organizing their tournaments. The one rule from the city is that it's aimed at adults.

“Each individual sport will have different requirements,” Smith says. “We just want to make it as easy as possible for local sports to host.”

The plan is to draw athletes from outside the city to see what Kamloops can offer and boost tourism in a shoulder season. Smith says the long term goal is to draw 2,000 participants from outside the city. It’s being modelled after a similar event in Utah.

Smith says a public event will also be held at Riverside Park.

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