2nd Annual Roger Obata Tribute Basketball Game & Marketplace
October 15, 2024
Join us on Sunday, November 3 to play, hang-out, check out our expanded marketplace and cheer on our 5-on-5 players. Last years event was a truly multi-generational mix of young folks, kids, parents, grandparents, and friends. There is something for everyone, and something for all ages.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN and includes a participant t-shirt.
SCHEDULE (may be subject to slight changes)
12:30-1:00 Registration | marketplace
1:00-1:45 Open gym | marketplace
1:45-2:45 Skill building activities | marketplace
3:15 5-on-5 game
Half time show with the Kochi Yosakoi Ambassador KIZUNA International Team
Participant Admission Includes:
- T Shirt
- Marketplace access
- Open Gym participation
- Skill Building activity participation
- Watching the 5 on 5 game
Participant Admission Fees
- Regular $25
- Youth (6 to 20) $18
- Senior (65 plus) $18
Spectator/Marketplace Admission includes:
- Marketplace Access
- Watching the Open Gym, Skill Buidling activities and 5 on 5 game
- Spectator/Marketplace Admission
Player admission includes:
- Reduced price for jersey
- Marketplace access
- Open Gym
- Skill Building Activities
- Playing in the 5 on 5 game
Player Admission Fee $25
Open gym time is scheduled so friends and family can have some fun on the NBA sized court. This year, we’ve booked the smaller court to provide more room for younger participants. Basketball skill-building and fun activities for youth, the young-at-heart and all ages will follow.
To register as a player contact Kristofer at: nextgen@torontonajc.ca
Jerseys will be available prior to November 3 for participants in the 5-on-5 game. Additional jerseys will be available for sale on event day but sizes may be limited. You must attend in person to purchase a jersey. These were extremely popular last year.
For any and all information contact torontonajc@gmail.com
We hope to see you soon!
MORE ABOUT THE EVENT:
When we held the inaugural Roger Obata Tribute Basketball Game last November 2023 we were nervous about how this unique event would be received. We were thrilled by its success in attracting a broad range of ages, families and interests. There was no doubt that a 2024 event would take place. Led by Kristofer Sakamoto-Marshall and the Next Generation team this fun, friendship-friendly and family friendly day combines athletics, art, history, food, and another step in our relationship and outreach to First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.
Named to honour Roger Obata, the founding president of the NJCCA-NAJC in year two we remember Hide Hyodo Shimizu, lifetime activist and former Toronto NAJC member. On event day we will read the tribute to Hide read by Roger Obata at the celebration of life held for her in 1999.
In the 1930s Obata organized a game between Japanese Canadians and an Indigenous team in Prince Rupert, B.C. He continued his love of the sport at U.B.C. where he completed his engineering degree. Thomas Shoyama first encountered Obata when he happened upon a game at U.B.C. where Obata’s opponents were a foot taller than him. Leading Shoyama to muse in hindsight, that it characterized determination which translate into his leadership as founding president of the NJCCA/NAJC.