Houston's Bright Choice Foundation Draws 1,000+ for Third Annual Mini Olympics
Third annual Mini Olympics brings international community together for sports, art and shared traditions.
Participants compete in a Master Chef contest at the third annual Mini Olympics, hosted by Houston’s Raindrop Foundation and organized by Bright Choice Foundation.
From April 18 to 20, the Raindrop Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Turkish culture and fostering community ties, welcomed more than 1,000 visitors to its third annual Mini Olympics. Organized by Bright Choice Foundation, an educational and mentorship nonprofit, the event offered a vibrant mix of sports, cultural exchange and community engagement.
This event brought together multiple generations, from 7-year-olds dashing across soccer fields to seasoned adults over 50 locked in fierce chess matches—all united by friendly competition and community pride.
After competing against each other in a game of volleyball, members of the Golden Eagles and Kyrgyz Spike congratulate one another. Photo courtesy of Bright Choice Foundation
Over the three spirited days, athletes competed in a wide range of sports. The program featured team events such as soccer, volleyball and basketball, alongside individual contests like three-point shooting, penalty shootouts, track races, and standing long jumps. Indoor competitions included table tennis, chess, mancala and badminton. Beyond the courts and fields, participants took part in creative activities like a Master Chef competition, the quiz show Who Wants to be Wise? and hands-on art workshops. Families crowded the sidelines, waving homemade posters, snapping photos and cheering each point, goal and jump.
Behind the scenes, organizers carefully coordinated dozens of games to ensure events didn’t overlap and athletes could compete in multiple sports.
“The biggest challenge of organizing an event like this is fitting all the sports into one weekend without conflicts,” said Hidayet Kaya, one of the event coordinators. “We want people to have the chance to join more than one competition if they choose.”
The Mini Olympics also fostered international friendship and cultural exchange. Nineteen-year-old Albina Jumabaeva represented her country as part as the only volleyball player from Turkmenistan.
Indoor competitions included table tennis, as shown above, chess, mancala and badminton. Beyond the courts and fields, participants took part in creative activities like a Master Chef competition, the quiz show Who Wants to be Wise? and hands-on art workshops. Photo courtesy of Bright Choice Foundation
"At first, I was a little uneasy that I was the only Turkmen here," Albina shared. "But the Kyrgyz team was very friendly, and we became close because of our shared love for volleyball. The competition was tough, but we all tried our best and had a great time together."
Jumabaeva, who has played volleyball since high school, competed with the same group last year and helped them to a second-place filnish. "This year we strive to take the first place," she added, excited at the opportunity to participate in the competition again.
Another standout participant was Daria Sultanova, a high schooler from Kazakhstan, who joined the MasterChef competition.
"It was so much fun cooking and sharing ideas with my friends," Daria said. "The event gave us a chance to show off our creativity and skills in something outside of sports. It’s really empowering to be part of something so inclusive. Plus, it helped me practice my English and improve both my cooking and communication skills."
The Mini Olympics concluded on Sunday evening with an awards ceremony that honored not just the winners but everyone who participated and cheered throughout the weekend.
Looking ahead, organizers hope to expand the event, welcoming even more participants from across Houston.
“Sports are one of the few things that all ages and backgrounds love.” Kaya said. “We hope even more people join in next year—to get some exercise, meet new friends, and be part of something bigger than themselves.”