The USYS Eastern Regional President’s Cup is set to take place in West Virginia with 107 teams competing. The main facility for the tournament is Shawnee Sports Complex in Dunbar, with games also being held in Barboursville. In response to a shots-fired incident near the complex, safety measures have been put in place to ensure the well-being of all participants.
Program manager Beth Noss emphasized the importance of safety, stating that information was sent to parents and staff underwent training in response to the incident. With each team typically consisting of at least 15 kids, precautions such as having police officers onsite and keeping all gates open have been put in place to maintain a secure environment for everyone involved.
Kanawha County Commissioner Ben Salango detailed the extensive security measures being taken for the tournaments. Security personnel, deputies, and emergency exit gates are being deployed to enhance safety protocols. The installation of safety gates at all entrances is also underway to further bolster security measures.
In light of recent events, efforts to ensure safety are at the forefront of planning for both the President’s Cup and another major tournament taking place soon after. The economic impact of hosting these events is significant, with an estimated $32 million total expected to be generated. Despite ongoing preparations, the gates for the complex will remain open during the President’s Cup, with plans to have safety gates operational in the near future to enhance security measures.