NSSF President Hails Standard Of Play
Father O鈥機onnell Science College of Niger State and Government Secondary School, Karu (FCT) are the new champions of the MILO National Secondary Schools Basketball Championship.
This year鈥檚 finale held at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos ended on dramatic notes as both the Niger State鈥檚 representative and FCT 鈥榮 flag bearers respectively ran away with the boys鈥 and girls鈥 titles.
Father O鈥機onnell secured a dramatic 66-64 overtime win against Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Yenagoa, Bayelsa鈥攃laiming their first national title after back-to-back losses in 2023 and 2024.
In the girls鈥 final, Government Secondary School, Karu, Abuja outclassed Lanreleke Academy, Ile-Ogbo, Osun State, 55-42, to clinch their maiden championship crown.
Victoria Dike (GSS Karu) and Levi Samuel (Father O鈥機onnell) were named Most Valuable Players (MVP) in the girls and boys categories respectively.
In the Boys鈥 category, Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa, Abuja emerged third while Government Secondary School, Adamawa placed fourth and David Hall International College, Ikoyi, Lagos finsihed fifth with Ahmadiyya College, Kano placed sixth.
In the girls鈥 category, Government Secondary School., Yola, Adamawa placed third followed by St. Jude鈥檚 Girls Secondary School, Bayelsa in the fourth position and Onireke High School, Oyo fifth with Ahmadiyya College, Kano in the sixth position.
The tournament also featured cultural parades and inclusive events for young people with disabilities, celebrating diversity and grassroots development.
Nestl茅 Milo Category Manager, Ifeanyi Orabuche, hailed the event as a legacy of resilience, values, and youth empowerment.
鈥淭he championship teaches teamwork and how to handle both victory and defeat,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e focused on democratizing sports and making it accessible to every child across Nigeria.鈥
In her remarks at the end of the championship, President of the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), organisers of the championship, Mrs. Olabisi Joseph, praised the players for their performance during the championship and said the sky is their limits.
Joseph said: 鈥淭he championship continues to play a crucial role in discovering and nurturing basketball talent across Nigeria, providing young athletes with a platform to shine and dream big.
鈥淭he standard of play exhibited this year by the players proved that the championship is really improving and am very happy with the performances of the players.
鈥淎t NSSF, we will continue to nurture good and hidden talents for the development of our sports from the grassroots,鈥 she said.