The Poarch Band of Creek Indians are holding an important youth baseball and softball tournament this weekend at their athletic complex.

The NAYO (Native American Youth Organization) baseball and softball tournament will begin 8 a.m. Friday morning and conclude Saturday afternoon.

Edie Jackson, tribal administrator and a member of the NAYO and Wellness boards, said the tournament features all of the Tribes that are members of NAYO.

“There are five Tribes that are a part of NAYO,” Jackson said. “The Choctaw (Mississippi), Cherokee (North Carolina), Seminole (South Florida), Seneca (New York) and Poarch with all of them bring teams to the tournament.”

There are tournaments for three age groups for the boys and girls tournaments starting with nine to 12 year olds, 13 to 15 year olds and 16 to 18 year olds.

Total in the NAYO tournament there are 26 teams.

Jackson said Poarch will be represented in each age group.

“It’s basically broken up into six different tournaments,” Jackson said. “Poarch has atleast one team competing in each group.”

Once the tournament has concluded, winners of each group will receive their prize.

First through third place teams will receive trophies as well as other prizes.

First place teams in each group receives a jackets, second-place teams receive hoodies and the third-place teams receives T-shirts.