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More than 1,400 athletes from across the nation competed this weekend at McMurray Field in St. Paul for the 26th Hmong Minnesota International Annual Sports Tournament. For the first time, 10 women's teams competed for cash prizes alongside the 40 men's teams. Last year's event drew an estimated 25,000 people on each day. Kahoua Yang, vice president of the Lao Family Community of Minnesota and manager of the tournament, estimated this year's crowd at 22,000 to 23,000 on both days. Yang said the event is important because it gives the Hmong community a chance to celebrate its success in the United States "It gives a chance for not only families to be united, but the community as a whole," he said. "Family is very important to us, and this is a time to come together and help plan the future for the young." .........