Annual Event Retains Theme of Harmony : Watts Games: More than 12,000 athletes in 12 sports from throughout Southland will come together for spirited competition.

Featuring several area high schools and numerous others from throughout the Southland, competition in the 26th L.A. Watts Summer Games will begin today at 27 sites in Los Angeles County.

More than 12,000 athletes will compete in 12 sports, including baseball, basketball, football, softball and volleyball. Play culminates in semifinals and championships June 19 and 20 at Compton College.

Competitors will receive T-shirts and medals. All events are open to the public free of charge.

Powerful North Hollywood is seeded first in the 110-team boys’ basketball tournament, which is believed to be the largest of its kind in the nation.

City Section 4-A Division baseball runner-up Chatsworth is part of the 28-team baseball field, and Santa Clarita Valley football forces Canyon and Hart are entered in a 53-team seven-on-seven passing tournament.

“This kicks off the next season for us,” Hart Coach Mike Herrington said. “We start to sharpen our tools and get in gear.”

The games are sponsored and coordinated by the L.A. Junior Chamber of Commerce. The event was established in the spring of 1968 after the Watts riots.

Organizers hoped to foster improved communication among races through athletics. The theme takes on added significance following the recent tumultuous events in the Southland.

“This is important,” said Bob Levey, director of communications for the games. “It gives the kids a chance to come together and forget about some problems.”

Several schools pulled out of the games last year following the civil unrest of April and May. No such problems this year, Levey said.

“No one has said they have problems with competing,” he said. “We’ve received lots of commitments from schools and the support from businesses has been strong.”

Canyon football Coach Harry Welch believes in the concept of the games.

“It’s something we enjoy,” he said. “If you can’t reach out to one another in sports, when can you?”