Sports
Rookies & Vets: Capital Tennis Association
Players enjoy ‘community spirit’ on the court
Aspen Lagman, left, and Sue Rego became friends playing with Capital Tennis Association. (Washington Blade photo by Kevin Majoros)
The Capital Tennis Association takes center court this week in the ongoing Washington Blade series about rookies and veterans who make up the LGBT sports teams in the Washington metro area.
Capital Tennis is in the beginning weeks of its summer league and this fall players will host the annual Capital Classic XXIII, a stop on the Gay & Lesbian Tennis Alliance world tour.
Two of their female players who are both gay have served as social chair of the organization over the past few years and have had great success in boosting the numbers of members at their social tennis activities.
“We are continuing our efforts to recruit new members from underrepresented groups such as women, young players and minorities,” says Jeff Sturman, Capital Tennis president. “In addition, we are promoting competitive and safe tennis for LGBT players and people of all backgrounds.”
Sue Rego grew up in Massachusetts and played a few sports such as track & field but spent much of her time on the sidelines watching her siblings taking tennis and sailing lessons. Rego was in a back brace to correct her scoliosis.
Rego stayed in the D.C. area after graduating from American University and now works as the chief operating officer of Deep Learning Analytics. Last year a friend referred her to Capital Tennis and she began playing doubles in the beginner’s league.
“I figured it would be best to start where I didn’t have full responsibility for the court,” Rego says. “Playing against more experienced players can be intimidating, but I just had a blast.”
Rego went on to play singles and doubles in her first tournament at the Capital Classic last fall.
“For the mixed doubles they paired me with a guy from Pittsburgh who was a much better player than I am,” Rego says. “It was so nice that he had my back.”
Rego, who took over the social chair position on the board from fellow female player Aspen Lagman, says the veteran players have been helpful in providing tips on getting better.
“When I first joined, Aspen took me to all the social events and the veterans were all so welcoming,” Rego says. “There is such a community spirit among the players.”
Aspen Lagman makes her living in the sports community as part of the marketing team at 106.7 the Fan sports radio and as a spinning instructor.
Growing up in Alexandria, she was an athletic kid and focused on softball, track & field, tennis and cheerleading. While attending George Mason University and playing intramural softball, she broke a finger sliding into third base and subsequently turned her attention to tennis.
She attended the Team D.C. SportsFest in 2011, discovered Capital Tennis and signed up for a league.
“I have always had good hand-eye coordination but found the drill clinics offered by Capital Tennis to be very helpful,” Lagman says. “I played in my first Capital Classic that fall and felt very welcome as a female athlete.”
Lagman recruited Rego as a rookie player and then passed off her position as social chair on the board to her. Lagman enjoyed sharing with Rego the ins and outs of the tennis community.
“The bottom line is that I love watching tennis and I love playing it.” Lagman says. “Tennis is a great cardio workout and just works as a good exercise for me.”
Lagman is hoping to step out of the safety of playing in her local community soon.
“I really want to play in the Atlantic Cup but it scares me a little because it is not in my hometown,” Lagman says. “I need to get outside my comfort zone.”
Sports
‘Heated Rivalry’ stars to participate in Olympic torch relay
Games to take place next month in Italy
“Heated Rivalry” stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will participate in the Olympic torch relay ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics that will take place next month in Italy.
HBO Max, which distributes “Heated Rivalry” in the U.S., made the announcement on Thursday in a press release.
The games will take place in Milan and Cortina from Feb. 6-22. The HBO Max announcement did not specifically say when Williams and Storrie will participate in the torch relay.
The Washington Capitals will host Pride Night on Saturday, Jan. 17, when they host the Florida Panthers at Capital One Arena. A special ticket offer featuring a Pride-themed Capitals rainbow jersey is available at washcaps.com.
Fans are invited to a pre-game Block Party at District E beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature a performance by the band NovaKane. Specialty happy hour food and beverages will be available, as well as giveaways. There will also be a presence by several local LGBTQ+ community organizations.
Egypt
Iran, Egypt object to playing in Seattle World Cup ‘Pride Match’
Game to take place on June 26
Iran and Egypt have objected to playing in a “Pride Match” that will take place in Seattle during the 2026 World Cup.
The Egyptian Football Association on Tuesday said it told FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström in a letter that “it categorically rejects holding any activities related to supporting (homosexuality) during the match between the Egyptian national team and Iran, scheduled to be held in Seattle, USA, on June 26, 2026, in the third round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.” Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran President Mehdi Taj told ISNA, a semi-official Iranian news agency that both his country and Egypt “protested this issue.”
The 2026 World Cup will take place in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The draw took place at the Kennedy Center on Dec. 5.
Iran is among the handful of countries in which consensual same-sex sexual relations remain punishable by death.
The State Department’s 2023 human rights report notes that while Egyptian law “did not explicitly criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity, authorities regularly arrested and prosecuted LGBTQI+ persons on charges including ‘debauchery,’ prostitution, and ‘violating family values.’” Egyptian authorities “also reportedly prosecuted LGBTQI+ individuals for ‘misuse of social media.’”
“This resulted in de facto criminalization of same-sex conduct and identity,” notes the report.
The 2024 human rights report the State Department released earlier this year did not include LGBTQ-specific references.
Soccer has ‘unique power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs’
The June 26 match between Iran and Egypt coincides with Seattle Pride. The Washington Post reported the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026 Local Organizing Committee decided to hold the “Pride Match” before last week’s draw.
“As the Local Organizing Committee, SeattleFWC26’s role is to prepare our city to host the matches and manage the city experience outside of Seattle Stadium,” said SeattleFWC26 Vice President of Communications Hana Tadesse in a statement the committee sent to the Washington Blade on Wednesday. “SeattleFWC26 is moving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament, partnering with LGBTQ+ leaders, artists, and business owners to elevate existing Pride celebrations across Washington.”
“Football has a unique power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs,” added Tadeese. “The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the nation’s largest Iranian-American communities, a thriving Egyptian diaspora, and rich communities representing all nations we’re hosting in Seattle. We’re committed to ensuring all residents and visitors experience the warmth, respect, and dignity that defines our region.”
The 2034 World Cup will take place in Saudi Arabia.
Consensual same-sex sexual relations remain punishable by death in the country. The 2022 World Cup took place in neighboring Qatar, despite concerns over the country’s anti-LGBTQ rights record.
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