Praise the Lord, online registrations for “the YAYA Hoops Basketball Academy” is officially live! But before I share the registration link, I’d like to tell you a little about the heart behind this ministry.
At Edmonton Central we’re changing the face of Evangelism by charging our young people to blaze new paths. “YAYA” stands for “Youth And Young Adults.” It is a team of dedicated young people committed to making a positive impact in our community through mentorship, leadership, and sport.
The Basketball Academy Lead is Danny Ganza. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Danny, immigrated into Canada at a young age. He was first introduced to basketball while living as a refugee in Africa. For him and many others, basketball became much more than a game, it became a pathway to hope, belonging, personal growth, and opportunity.
Today, He and other members of the “YAYA Hoops” Team can testify that the sport opened doors they never imagined possible. Through basketball, they earned opportunities to play at Canadian colleges and universities, where they developed perseverance, discipline, leadership, and character. Those same qualities have helped them graduate, establish meaningful careers, and become positive contributors to their communities.
We are grateful that this initiative is being made possible through the support and partnership of ADRA Canada, Edmonton Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, and local businesses such as Roho Warriors Fitness, whose investment in youth development continues to make a lasting difference.
What excites us most is that this academy is only the beginning. It is the first step toward a larger vision: Returning to refugee camps in Uganda in 2027 to invest in the next generation of young people who are facing many of the same challenges our team members once experienced. Through sport, mentorship, and faith-based community engagement, we hope to inspire hope, build character, and create opportunities for youth in need.
Beyond the academy itself and Uganda-2027, our prayer is that this endeavor will become the launching pad for a city-wide Christian/SDA Sport League, an outreach ministry designed for those that cannot afford to pay the high costs of club sports. A ministry to engage, mentor, and disciple young people through the universal language of sport. Led by passionate young adults and focused on developing character, leadership, and faith, this initiative has the potential to become a powerful evangelistic bridge into our communities. Edmonton is ready for this kind of ministry, and with your partnership, we can turn this vision into reality.
REGISTER HERE: https://edmontoncentraladventist.org/basketball-academy/
If you have any questions or would like additional promotional materials, please feel free to contact Danny Ganza. In the meantime, PLEASE, visit our website and lock arms with “YAYA Central” to produce – #StrongMinds_StrongBodies_Unstoppable Warriors for the KING!.