For its impactful and consistent sponsorship of the exciting Milo School Basketball Championship over the last 25 years, Nestle Nigeria Plc. has earned the plaudits of both the Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) and Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) with both outfits describing the annual tournament as ‘the game changer ‘ for the growth and development of basketball in the country.
President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, Col. Sam Ahmedu (retd), said both the male (D’Tigers and female (D’Tigress) national teams have over the years being a direct beneficiaries of the talented players weaned from the Milo School Basketball Championship, adding the tournament can be described as ‘legacy’ towards the development of the game.
“,Milo School Basketball Championship is not only about basketball, it is a legacy in the sense that without this competition, we would not have been able to have the cream of players we have had (for the national teams) ” Ahmedu who doubles as a member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), said at a presser ahead of the 25th edition of the tournament that dunked off in Lagos at the weekend.
Stressing the importance of the tournament over the years, President of the NSSF, Mrs. Olabisi Joseph, said Nestle Nigeria Plc are indeed trailblazer in the sponsorship of tournament at the grassroots, adding the annual Milo School Basketball Championship has become a ‘catalyst for dreams and a platform where the stars of tomorrow are born’.
She added: “25 remarkable editions, showcasing and harnessing the great potential of young Nigerian students and integrating them into the mainstream of basketball.
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“Players discovered from the Championship are in national teams, international and domestic basketball leagues; there is no team in Nigeria that does not parade players who participated in past editions of the Championship.
“ This tournament has also provided a platform for our young athletes to learn valuable life skills, such as discipline, dedication, teamwork and friendship while developing passion for the game.”
For this golden jubilee edition,12 teams including male and female, qualified for the National Finals holding at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos between June 21st and 26th.
In the girls’ category are: Government Science Secondary School, Yola, (Adamawa State); Ahmadiyya College , Kano, (Kano State);Government Secondary school, Karu, (FCT); St. Jude Girls Secondary School, Amarata ( Bayelsa State;Onireke High School, Ibadan (Oyo State) and Lanre Leke Academy, Ile- Ogbo( Osun State).
In the Boys’ category are: Government Secondary School Numan (Adamawa State); Father O ‘Connel Science College (Niger State),Bishop Dimieari Grammar School, Yenagoa (Bayelsa State);David Hall International College (Lagos State);Ahmadiyya College Kano (Kano State) and Government Secondary School Gwarinpa(FCT ).
Meanwhile, organisers have hinted that this year’s edition would be used to shortlist the country’s basketball contingent to the inaugural edition of the Africa school Games in Algeria.
“This year a team of selected players at the finals will make a formidable team to represent Nigeria at the Africa school Games from 25th July to 6th August in Algeria this is in collaboration with and approval of the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Olympic Committee,” Joseph explained.