By Peter Ejiofor
Akpur College, Gboko, Benue, and Government Secondary School, Karu, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have emerged champions in the girls and boys categories respectively at the Central Conference of the 22nd Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championships.
In the girls’ category, Akpur College, Gboko, defeated their Queen Amina College, Sabon-Tasha, Kaduna State counterparts 35-31 to emerge champions.
The boys from Government Secondary School, Karu, FCT, outclassed their Father O’Conel Science College, Minna, Niger State opponents
34-23 in a thrilling encounter.
Speaking on the 2nd of the four series conferences, Category Manager for Beverages, Nestlé Nigeria, Mr Olutayo Olatunji said: “At MILO, we believe that through participation in sports, children learn grit and imbibe values that help them on their journey to success in life.
“We are therefore committed to the MILO Secondary Schools Basketball Championships in Nigeria. We are delighted that we are able to return to the championships after a break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Let me use this opportunity to reiterate our commitment to developing talents, enforcing healthier lifestyles, and instilling values and lessons for success in life through these championships.
“The MILO Secondary Schools Basketball Championships will continue to provide the opportunities for developing qualities,
including leadership skills, ability to work in a team, perseverance, courage, self-belief, and respect in these young ones who participate.
“We are grateful to our partners – the Nigeria Schools Sports Federation (NSSF) and the National Collegiate Sports Foundation (NCSF) for their support over the last 22 editions.’’
The Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Council, Bolakale Adisa Mogaji, who was special guest at the Conference finale said: “I am a beneficiary of MILO sports development in Nigeria myself.
“I participated in the now rested MILO Squash Championship in Lagos many years ago.
“MILO Secondary Schools Basketball Championships is a very good development for all basketball players.
“As these students have gathered from different states for a bigger competition, they will be encouraged to take the sport more seriously and enjoy all the benefits of playing and participating.
“We thank MILO for continuing to be a pillar of sports in Nigeria.’’
The Central Conference was hosted at the Ilorin Township Stadium in the Kwara capital from May 14 to May 20, 2022.
The states that make up this Conference are Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau and host Kwara.
Others are Benue, Kebbi, Kaduna, Sokoto and the F.C.T (Abuja).
The champions in both the male and female categories of this conference will compete with winners from the Savanna Conference held in Kano from the May 7 to May 13 as well as the other two future Conferences – Equatorial Conference, Enugu: May 21 to May 27 and Western Conferences, Ibadan: May 28 to June 3 in the national finals at the Indoor Sports hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos from June 25 to July 1, 2022.
For over two decades, MILO has emphasised the importance of grit to teach schoolchildren vital life values such as determination, tenacity, endurance, perseverance, teamwork and self-confidence, using the Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championships as a platform.
Nestlé says it will continue to support grassroots sports development in Nigeria in line with its purpose of unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone today and for generations to come.
The next Conference of the 22nd Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championships – Equatorial Conference – will take place in Enugu from May 22 to May 27.
