Andres Trujillo, executive director of New Mexico Games, talks about what’s in store for 2023 participants. (Herron photo)

 

 

ALBUQUERQUE– The long-running and iconic New Mexico Games are back for an exciting 2023 year of sports.

After a successful year in 2022, the New Mexico Games is set to host a variety of sports events for New Mexicans of all ages to compete in.

New Mexico Games has expanded partnerships and the footprint of competitions across the state to include partnerships with the Albuquerque Sports Commission, Visit Las Cruces and Visit Rio Rancho. Of these partnerships the Games has three of those (judo, cornhole and karate) planned to be hosted in Las Cruces, as well as the annual bowling competition at Tenpins & More in the City of Vision.

Since 1989 the New Mexico Games have played host to Olympics-style competitions and, now in its 34th year, slated to be bigger and better than before.

Opening ceremonies took place May 9 at Balloon Fiesta Park, where the Male Athlete of 2022, Winston Crandall, 82 years young and still competing, detailed his athletic pursuits through his life, which included 28 years in the U.S. Air Force, Interestingly, he was the weather officer at Edwards Air Force Base for two space shuttle landings.

Opening ceremonies also included a short speech by Volcano Vista High School boys’ basketball coach Greg Brown, who recalled playing on a team in the inaugural Games’ basketball competition in 1989, when he was a student and cager at Albuquerque Academy.

The 2023 Games tip off with the most recognizable basketball tournament in the state as the Memorial Day Weekend Basketball Tournament runs May 26-29 at UNM Johnson Center. Basketball is open to all New Mexicans from third grade to senior divisions. Registration closed May 17.

Following basketball, June features several events including judo, karate, swimming, track and field, and a highly competitive USTA tennis tournament. Indoor racket sports will be hosted in Las Vegas.

The rest of the summer features BMX, badminton, volleyball, pickleball and cornhole.

In September, bowling will begin their state qualifiers in Rio Rancho. Proprietor Steve Mackie said there were more than 370 bowling entries in 2022.

The New Mexico Games conclude in November with archery.

Local businesses interested in sponsoring or partnering with the New Mexico Games can contact [email protected] or call Executive Director Andres Trujillo (505-238-9099), owner of the New Mexico Runners, whose home games are played in the Rio Rancho Events Center.

sRegistration for the 2023 New Mexico Games is open, with a complete list of events found on the organization’s website (newmexicogames.org).

This year is a qualifier year for the national State Games of America competition set to take place in San Diego July 17-21, 2024. Certain competitions are on the list of events at the national competition and medalists in those specific competitions this year will qualify and be able to represent New Mexico in 2024.