12 Schools will battle for honours in the 24th edition of the Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship.
Six teams made into the championship final in the male category, while another six will slug it out in the female category.
The finalists emerged from the preliminary stage in Northern and Southern Conference.
The tournament will run from Saturday, June 23rd to Friday, June 28.
All the matches will be played at the indoor sports hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.
The draw ceremony for the competition took place at the Nestle Office, Ilupeju, Lagos on Wednesday.
In the male category,
Father O’Connell Science College, Niger, Bishop Dimieri Grammar School, Bayelsa and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria Secondary School Cross River are drawn in Group A.
In Group B are; Ijaiye Housing Estate Senior Grammar School, Lagos, Rumfa College, Kano and Government Day Secondary School, Gombe.
In the female category, Topfield College, Lagos; Dom Domigos College, Delta and Queen Amina College, Kaduna will compete in Group A, while Group B comprises of Government Secondary School, Abuja; Onireke High School, Oyo and Zarumai Model School, Niger.
Speaking at the press conference and draw ceremony, Mr. Wassim
Ehusseini, Managing Director/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria,represented by the Commercial
Director, Mr. Boladale Odunlami said, “MILO has been a cornerstone of youth
empowerment in Nigeria, providing over 3.5 million school-aged children annually with
opportunities to experience the transformative power of sports through programs like the
MILO Building Champs and the Milo Basketball Championship.
” We firmly believe that
every child, irrespective of their background or physical abilities, deserves the opportunity
to unlock their inherent potential through participation in sports.
This is why we are
unwavering in our commitment to ignite the spirit of champions within the children every
single day by creating opportunities through sports.”
Mrs. Ifeanyi Orabuche, Category Manager for Beverages at Nestlé Nigeria, added, “We
commenced this year’s championship with a pool of over 12,000 talented teams
nationwide.
“The competition has proved to be the most intense yet, culminating in the
traditional selection of only twelve finalists—six teams in each category for boys and girls.
“Though not everyone made it to the finals and only two teams will emerge as winners,
the stories of inspiration and heroism that have emerged from this year’s championship
and the past editions underscore the profound impact sports can have on young athletes,
helping them become the best versions of themselves.”
The twelve qualified teams will compete fiercely for the championship trophy, cash prizes,
basketball kits, and an array of MILO goodies at the finals.
Nestlé Nigeria also thanked the Lagos State government, the Lagos State Sports Council, the Ministry of
Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the championship’s longstanding
partners, the Nigerian Schools Sports Federation (NSSF) and the National Collegiate
Sports Foundation (NCSF), for their invaluable support.
