National Tennis Month proclamation read during Special Olympics Kansas event

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and Mayor of the City of Maize Pat Stivers joined representatives from the USTA Missouri Valley to proclaim May as National Tennis Month in the state of Kansas. The proclamation was declared during a May 31 kickoff event for the 2024 Special Olympics Kansas State Summer Games held at Maize High School.

The National Tennis Month proclamation that occurred at the Maize High School tennis courts highlights the state’s commitment to inclusivity in sports. It was part of an effort to promote adaptive tennis programs that benefit Special Olympics athletes. It’s a promise to ensure sports including tennis remain welcoming and inclusive for all who wish to participate.

“We are delighted to partner with Special Olympics Kansas to bring adaptive tennis programs to the athletes,” said Mary Buschmann, USTA Missouri Valley CEO and executive director. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to provide inclusive sports opportunities and to promote the physical and social benefits of participation in sports for all individuals.”

The proclamation was born of a partnership between the USTA Missouri Valley and Special Olympics Kansas, one that will continue in hopes of making tennis accessible and enjoyable for athletes of all ages, skill levels and abilities.

USTA Kansas would like to congratulate all athletes who participated in the Special Olympics Kansas State Summer Games on May 31 to June 2. In addition to tennis, athletes had the opportunity to compete in track and field, soccer, cornhole and bocce. The Kansas State Summer Games were the exciting conclusion of the seasons for these summer sports.

Beyond the competition, the games were also packed with fun for athletes as well as their friends and families. Games, music, vendor booths and a dance were all slated to be part of the festivities, as were free health screenings.

To learn more about the Kansas State Summer Games, click here. To read a previously published USTA Kansas article previewing the event, click here. To check out National Tennis Month proclamations that were declared throughout the USTA Missouri Valley in May, click here.