Edenvale Lions Basketball Academy’s 2026 plans revealed
With a strong 2025 behind them, Edenvale Lions Basketball Academy focuses on youth development, improved facilities, and national tournaments this year.
As Edenvale Lions Basketball Academy looks to the year ahead, the academy hopes to build on the success and momentum of 2025.
According to founder and coach Edson Makavan, 2025 was one of the biggest and best years for Elba.
“Our baby, The Vale Tournament, eventually happened.”
ALSO READ: Elba wraps up final activation for The Vale Tournament
Hosted at the Walter Sisulu Sports Hall, eight teams battled it out for the prize of R500 000.
“It was a very successful tournament. We had a lot of interest from China, America and Europe. Some of the clubs and people we partnered with served as a positive sign of growth.
“2025 was a Pivotal year for us, and we hope to transfer that energy into the new year,” said Makavan.
Makavan highlighted that Elba’s goal remains the same: developing basketball locally, regionally and eventually internationally.
“The Vale Tournament is coming up; this year will be a good one.”
Speaking about the plans for the year ahead, Makavan said the development of basketball is the main goal; however, the academy will also be pushing for the development of its facilities.
“We are planning on introducing leagues, but like we’ve always said, our goal has always been to host international tournaments.
ALSO READ: The second Vale Tournament was a success – Elba
“We would also like to have facilities which can cater for these leagues and international tournaments.”
He said Elba does not have adequate facilities to host such games.
He thanked the City of Ekurhuleni and all sponsors such as Build It, Brand SA, Supa Quick, Vodacom, SABC Sport, and Energade, who have continued to support the academy.
Makavan encouraged other sponsors and corporate companies to get involved and partner with the academy to help develop and grow community basketball.
“As an academy, we want to develop basketball from a community perspective. This has always been our goal,” said Makavan.
“We have always been focused on grass roots level.”
Preparing for this year’s Vale Tournament, Makavan said the academy hopes to host it in two provinces, namely the Western Cape and Gauteng.
He said if all goes to plan, then the preliminary games for the tournament will be played in Cape Town, while the finals and the main event will be played in Johannesburg.
This year, with support from sponsors, Elba hopes to make the prize money for the Vale Tournament R1m.
“Some people may criticise what we are doing and call us dreamers, but we know what we, and our supporters, know our potential and what the academy is capable of,” said Makavan.
Practice times for the academy are as follows:
Monday: 16:00 – 1800.
Tuesday: 16:00 – 1800.
Wednesday: 16:00 – 1800.
Friday: 16:00 – 1800.
Saturday 08:00 – 10:00.
For more information about the club, contact coach Byron Pinheiro on 082 969 4172, or coach Edson Makavan on 060 414 3320, or coach Benji Ngandu on 081 543 4541.
