AKP Sports Foundation Successfully Hosts 2026 AKP Sports Academy Los Angeles, Bringing Together Over 100 Youth for Sports, Mentorship, and the Gospel
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — AKP Sports Foundation successfully hosted the 2026 AKP Sports Academy Los Angeles on Saturday, July 11, 2026, welcoming more than 100 youth from across Southern California for an afternoon of elite sports instruction, mentorship, leadership development, and faith.
Held at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (LATTC), the one-day academy united current and former professional athletes, coaches, and community leaders with one shared mission: to invest in the next generation both on and off the field and court.
The academy featured an outstanding lineup of headliners, including:
Steve Baik – National Championship-winning basketball coach and one of California’s premier high school basketball coaches
Ji Hyun Park – WNBA player with the Los Angeles Sparks and member of the Korean National Basketball Team
Kim Jung Eun – Korean basketball legend and former captain of the Korean Women’s National Team
Participants were coached by an outstanding team of AKP coaches and athlete ambassadors, including NCAA athletes, former professional players, and experienced mentors. A special athlete panel featured the headliners sharing their journeys of perseverance, leadership, and faith, while every child and family heard the Gospel message through athlete testimonies and the Academy’s faith-centered program. Many participants also made decisions to begin their faith journey with Jesus Christ.
“AKP Sports Academy is about far more than sports,” said John Lee, Founder and CEO of AKP Sports Foundation. “Our mission is to use sports as a platform to develop character, create opportunity, and share the love of Christ. Seeing more than 100 young people grow as athletes, build meaningful relationships, and hear the hope of the Gospel made this an unforgettable day. We are deeply grateful to our athletes, coaches, volunteers, sponsors, and partners for making this possible.”
The event was made possible through the generous support of AKP Sports Foundation’s sponsors, partners, churches, volunteers, and community organizations whose shared commitment to empowering youth through sports, mentorship, and service helped bring the Academy to life. AKP Sports Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to Presenting Sponsor Convoy Home Loans; Headline Sponsors JL Strategies, Epik Sports, and YJ Capital LLC; Nonprofit Partner The Salvation Army; Medical Partner Baron Medical Group; Apparel Partner Monarch Sports Group; Ministry Partner Loving You Ministries; church partners including New Life Vision Church (NLVC), LACPC, and Seed Church; as well as the many volunteers, athlete ambassadors, and supporters whose dedication made the 2026 AKP Sports Academy Los Angeles one of the organization’s most impactful events to date.
Building on the success of Los Angeles, AKP Sports Foundation now looks ahead to upcoming youth outreach initiatives, including Back2School Los Angeles, Back2School New York City, and additional sports ministry programs across the United States.
About AKP Sports Foundation
AKP Sports Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth and strengthening communities through sports, mentorship, and service. Through sports academies, community events, and leadership development programs, AKP uses athletics as a platform to cultivate character, leadership, and opportunity for the next generation.
Media Contact
John Lee, CEO & President- AKP Sports Foundation
Phone: (626) 720-3898
Email: john.lee@akpsports.org
Website: https://www.akpsports.org
