FATHER O’Connell Science College, Minna, Niger State defeated Government Secondary School, Karu, FCT 53-49 in the final of the boys’ category in the just concluded Central Conference of the MILO Basketball Championship in Abuja.
Coach Biodun Tanko of Father O’Connell Science College said it was dream come true for him and his team, who lost to the same opponents last year in the same
championship.
“We had a 70-day period of training. During Ramadan, we were there. It
is a testimony that hard work pays. Also, without God we would not have been able to achieve this feat,” he explained.
Captain of the winning team, Mahmood Mustapha Mohammed, thanked Nestlé MILO for supporting and sponsoring them.
Mohammed, whose dream is to play with global stars in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States of America, said: “I want to give a big shout out to our parents and coaches for always being there for us
and believing in us, trusting that we would come back with the trophy.”
In the final game of the girls’ category of the championship, Government Secondary School, Karu, FCT defeated Queen Amina College, Kakuri,
Kaduna State 35-24.
Both Father O’Connell Science College,
Minna, Niger State and Government Secondary School, Karu, FCT will represent the Central Conference at the national finals of the 23rd MILO Basketball Championship in Lagos in July.
Other teams who will be in Lagos for the national finals are winners from the already concluded Savannah Conference which was held in Kano from May to the May 10, and winners from the two upcoming conferences – Atlantic Conference in Asaba from May 20 to May 27 and Western Conference in Ibadan from May 30 to June 6.
Category Manager for Beverages, Nestlé Nigeria, Mr. Olutayo Olatunji, reiterated
Nestle’s commitment to developing talents, promoting healthier lifestyles, and instilling values for success in life through sports.
“MILO, firmly believes that through
participation in sports, children learn enduring values to help them achieve success in life,” he said.
“We are, therefore, pleased to have this opportunity to provide a platform where
young talents find expression through MILO Secondary School Basketball
Championship.
“On the courts, the teams depend on the discipline, perseverance, courage, self-belief, and respect that they imbibe during practice and through their interactions with each other. These life skills are not only for basketball;
they equip the players to navigate their careers and to be productive in society.
“In a nutshell, ‘the GRIT’ you learn in sport, you keep for life.”
Nestlé Nigeria’s MILO Secondary School Basketball Championship has been
promoting the value of grit for over 23 years, helping schoolchildren learn essential life skills such as resilience, persistence, stamina, cooperation, and self-belief.
These values enable them to overcome challenges and achieve their goals in life.
Nestlé continues to lead grassroot sports development in Nigeria through its MILO Basketball Championship, contributing to the growth of many players in the Nigerian national teams, and notable clubs across the world today.
States who competed in the Central Conference of the MILO Basketball
Championship at the Indoor Sports Hall, Package ‘B’ of the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja from the 12th to 19th of May, 2023 included Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, and host FCT.
Others Kaduna, Niger, Plateau, Benue and Sokoto.
