Hays ? About 1,600 athletes and coaches from across Kansas will be in Hays this week for the Special Olympics Kansas Basketball and Cheerleading Tournament.

Opening ceremonies are Thursday evening.

Events will take place at Gross Memorial Coliseum on the campus of Fort Hays State University, Hays Recreation Center, Hays High School and the Fanchon Ballroom. Altogether, 125 basketball teams and 18 cheerleading teams will compete.

The Hays Daily News reports that Hays has hosted the annual tournament for 35 of the 41 years the event has taken place.