COLUMBUS, Ohio — Thousands of athletes have arrived in Central Ohio as Columbus, Ohio, hosts the 49th annual Gay Softball World Series. Recognized as the largest annual LGBTQ+ single-sport athletic competition, the tournament features more than 260 teams competing in over 1,000 games.

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The tournament officially began on Sunday, followed by an opening ceremony on Monday, and runs through September 5. Play is taking place across all 31 fields at Berliner. This marks the fourth time Columbus, Ohio, has hosted the competition.

Local officials anticipate a major economic impact from the influx of visitors. The Greater Columbus Sports Commission projects that this year’s tournament will generate approximately $8.7 million in direct visitor spending. During the 2021 tournament in Columbus, Ohio, direct visitor spending reached $7.4 million.

Jesse Ghiorzi, a spokesman for the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, stated that economic estimates account for event duration, participant and spectator numbers, and lengths of stay. He noted that spending impacts several key sectors, including hotels, dining, nightlife, entertainment, retail, and transportation. iPride Softball Commissioner Nate Smith emphasized the convenience of the city’s setup, pointing out that fields, hotels, and dining options are situated close together.

Local businesses are also adjusting operations for the event. Tournament sponsor Slammers brought on additional staff and increased ordering and marketing to prepare for the crowds. General Manager Bobbi Moore said significant preparation went into organizing the space for the higher volume.

Slammers is hosting events throughout the week, including a Give Back Night charity bingo on Tuesday. Proceeds from the Tuesday bingo event will benefit the Kaleidoscope Youth Center. Assistant General Manager Jaci Kincaid said the team is excited to serve the community and welcome new visitors to the venue.

Source: NBC4 Columbus — Original report

Wararka Af-Soomaaliga

Columbus oo Martigelinaysa Tartanka 49-aad ee Gay Softball World Series

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Kumanaan ciyaartoy ah ayaa soo gaaray gobolka Ohio iyada oo magaalada Columbus ay martigelinayso tartanka 49-aad ee ciyaaraha Gay Softball World Series. Tartankan, oo loo aqoonsan yahay kii ugu weynaa ee sannadle ah oo hal nooc oo ciyaareed ah oo loo qabto bulshada LGBTQ+, ayaa waxaa ku tartami doona in ka badan 260 kooxood oo ciyaari doona in ka badan 1,000 kulan.

Tartanka ayaa si rasmi ah u bilaawday Axaddii, iyada oo munaasabadda furitaanka ay dhacday Isniintii, wuxuuna socon doonaa illaa 5-ta Sebtembar. Dhammaan ciyaaraha ayaa ka dhacaya 31-ka garoon ee ku yaalla Berliner. Tani waa markii afaraad oo ay magaalada Columbus martigeliso tartankan caalamiga ah.

Mas’uuliyiinta deegaanka ayaa rajaynaya in tartankani uu saameyn toos ah oo muuqata ku yeesho dhaqaalaha magaalada. Hay’adda Greater Columbus Sports Commission ayaa tilmaamtay in la rajaynayo in dadka soo bisheeya magaalada ay si toos ah u kharashgareeyaan ku dhawaad $8.7 milyan. Sannadkii 2021, markii u dambeysay oo Columbus ay haysay tartankan, kharashka tooska ah ee ciyaartoyda iyo daawadayasha ayaa gaaray $7.4 milyan.

Afhayeenka Greater Columbus Sports Commission, Jesse Ghiorzi, ayaa sheegay in qiyaasaha dhaqaalaha ay ku salaysan yihiin muddada uu tartanku socdo, tirada ka qaybgalayaasha iyo daawadayaasha, iyo inta maalmood ee ay joogayaan magaalada. Wuxuu xusay in lacagahaasi ay toos u gelayaan qaybaha hoteellada, maqaayadaha, madadaalada, tafaariiqda, iyo gaadiidka. Dhanka kale, Komishanka iPride Softball, Nate Smith, ayaa tilmaamay in Columbus ay leedahay qaab dhismeed habboon, maadaama garoomada, hoteellada, iyo goobaha wax lagu cuno ay dhammaantood isu jiraan masaafo gaaban.

Ganacsiyada deegaanka ayaa sidoo kale u diyaar-garoobay qabsoomidda dhacdadani. Shirkadda Slammers oo ka mid ah kafaala-qaadayaasha tartanka ayaa kordhisay shaqaalaheeda iyada oo bedeshay qaabka ay u shaqayso. Maareeyaha guud ee Slammers, Bobbi Moore, ayaa sheegtay in diyaar-garow badan loo galay sidii loo maareyn lahaa dadka tiro badan ee imanaya.

Slammers ayaa sidoo kale qabanaysa dhacdooyin kala duwan toddobaadkan, iyada oo ay ku jirto bingo lagu aruurinayo tabarucaad oo dhacaya Talaadada, kaas oo dakhliga ka soo baxa lagu taageeri doono xarunta Kaleidoscope Youth Center. Maareeye ku-xigeenka Slammers, Jaci Kincaid, ayaa sheegtay in ay ku faraxsan yihiin in ay bulshada u adeegaan oo ay soo dhoweeyaan dad cusub.

Xigasho: NBC4 Columbus