4th Annual Roger Obata Tribute Basketball Game & Marketplace
Sunday, November 8, 2026
12:30 PM to 5:30 PM
BallMatics Academy
950 Dupont Street (corner of Dovercourt), Toronto
Watch our video and read more!
THE GODZILLAS ARE BACK!
Basketball, creativity and community come together at the 4th Annual Roger Obata Tribute Game & Marketplace.
Join us for an afternoon bringing generations together through sport, art, performance and community.
Event Highlights:
- Open gym and basketball activities for all ages and skill levels
- Godzillas (Japanese Canadian) vs. Mgizi (Indigenous) 5-on-5 Tribute Game
- Performances by Kizuna Canada, hoop dancer Emilee Ann Pitawanakwat and taiko drummers
- Pop-up mural and colouring activities
- Japanese Canadian and Indigenous community marketplace
- The Japanese Canadian Book of ABCs and Setsuko Thurlow’s Never Silent
- Filming for a documentary about Roger Obata and his generation
Pre-Register for a Chance to Win Nike Items and Event T-Shirts!
Pre-registration is encouraged, but event-day admission will also be available.
For admission only, REGISTER on Eventbrite
- Youth (17 & under) & Elders (75+): Free
- Adults (18–74): $5
Prize Draw
All pre-registered attendees will be entered in the prize draw for Nike items, event T-shirts, and copies of The Japanese Canadian Book of ABCs. You must be present to claim a prize.
Want an event T-shirt? Purchase through one of the Square links below. Your admission is included when you pre-register for a T-shirt. You do not need to register separately through Eventbrite.
Event T-Shirts
Register early for the best chance of getting your preferred size.
Pre-register below for a T-shirt and any applicable admission is included.
- Youth T-shirt: $15 pre-register | $18 event day — save $3
- Adult T-shirt: $25 pre-register, includes admission | $28 event day + $5 admission — save $8
- Elder T-shirt: $20 pre-register | $28 event day — save $8
A limited selection of past Tribute Game T-shirts and jerseys will also be available for purchase.
T-shirt quantities and sizes are limited, pre-registration is recommended.
PLAYER JERSEYS
Interested in representing the Godzillas in the big game? Contact Kristofer at nextgen@torontonajc.ca
SCHEDULE*
12:30-1:00 Registration | marketplace
1:00-2:00 Open gym | marketplace
2:00-3:00 Skill building activities | marketplace
3:00 5-on-5 game (pre-game and half-time performances**)
*subject to slight changes
**Performances by Kizuna Canada, hoop dancer Emilee Ann Pitawanakwat and taiko drummers
Come early and stay late.
Enjoy a community marketplace, open gym, all-ages skill-building activities and a kid-friendly zone, leading up to the main event: a 5-on-5 matchup between the Japanese Canadian Team Godzillas and Indigenous Team Mgizi.
The Godzillas are proud to field a mixed team featuring skilled female and male players. Whether you come to play, cheer, shop or connect, the day brings together sport, art, culture and community.
Community Marketplace
Support Japanese Canadian, Japanese and Indigenous makers, including young vendors, first-time sellers and emerging entrepreneurs.
Join the Story
Mark your calendar for Sunday, November 8, 2026, and join us for year four of the Roger Obata Tribute Basketball Game & Community Marketplace.
Bring your friends and family, support local artists and vendors, and help us celebrate community across generations.
See you courtside — or on the court!
Event details will continue to be updated as plans are confirmed.
Website: www.torontonajc.ca
Instagram: @torontonajc
Contact: torontonajc@gmail.com
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.