Lagos — Government Secondary School Barnawa, Kaduna and St.Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata Bayelsa, on Saturday emerged the champions of the Nestle Milo Secondary Basketball Champions in Lagos.
Kaduna came from a 11 points deficit to snatch the victory from St. Peter’s College, Idah, Kogi, 52-51 to claim the 17th edition of the most successful competition in grassroots basketball.
In the girls category, St Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa defeated India College, Benin-City, Edo, 18-15 to claim their championship.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition, which began in January with over 8,000 schools nationwide, ended with six teams drawn from the conference finals vying for honours.
The six schools that competed in the national finals, which began in Jun 1 to June 6 were the eventual champions, Government Boys Secondary School, Barnawa, Kaduna, St. Peter’s College, Idah, Kogi, General Murtarla Mohammed College, Yola, Ilupeju Grammar School, Lagos, St. Augustine’s Seminary, Ebonyi and St. Joseph’s College, Nyimah, Benue.
In the girls category were the eventual champions, St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa, Government Girls Secondary School, Bida, Niger, Government Secondary School, Adamawa.
Others are Yejide Girls Grammar School, Ibadan, Oyo, Idia College Benin-City, Edo and Government Girls Secondary School, Jogana, Kano.
In the third place position, the boys from Ilupeju Lagos, defeated St. Augustine’s Seminary, Ebonyi, 55-30 to compensate Lagos fans having lost out in the semifinals to the eventual second runner-up Kogi.
In the girls third place match, a spirited performance from the girls from Adamawa helped them to engineer a sweet revenge over their Niger counterpart, 31-29, having lost to them in the group stage.
The first placed winners received a cash sum of N150,000, branded Nestle Milo basketballs, basketball footwares (for each players) gold
medals, championship trophy and certificate of participation from Nestle Milo.
The second place teams received N120.000, branded Nestle Milo basketballs, basketball footwares, the silver medals and certificate of
participation for each player.
The third place winners received a sum of N100,000, branded Nestle Milo basketballs the bronze medals and certificate of participation for each player.
The award for the most entertaining team went to Ilupeju Grammar School, Lagos, while Yedige Girls Grammar School, Ibadan, Oyo
received the fair play award for girls. St. Augustine, Ebonyi received the fair play award for boys.
The Most Valuable Player award went to David Musa of the Kaduna team while Faith Jeremiah received the Most Valuable Player
in the girls category.
Coach Tony Nelson of St Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata told NAN that winning the championship in a record three
times in the school’s history was an unspeakable joy.
”We are happy to claim our third championship in a space of five years, it is indeed a joyous moment for us in Bayelsa, we look forward to winning many more titles,”
Nelson said.
The President, Nigeria School Sports Federation, Ibrahim Mohammed, thanked the organisers, Nestle Milo, for yet again supporting grassroots basketball in Nigeria, describing them as the only company that cares for Nigerian youths.
”Nestle Milo are the leading company that cares about the youths of this country. Their commitment in the last 17 years proved their passion to develop the youths of this country.
”Their not being in the country for just making money but also investing huge finances into basketball is worthy of commendation,”
Mohammed said.
The Category Manager for Nestle Milo (Beverage) Femi Akintola said that the company was proud of the improved success recorded in the 17th edition.
He said that the company looked forward to the 18th edition which would l be more glamorous and captivating.
”Over the years we have learnt a lot and we continue to develop in many areas as our passion fro developing the youths of Nigeria through sports is unwavering.
”The coming year will definitely be better than what we have seen today and we are confident the youths will continue to show the quality the posses in basketball,”
Akintola said.
NAN reports that the competition was held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos. (NAN)