GSS Gboko, Father O’Connell win 26th MILO Central Conference titles

Government Secondary School, Gboko, Benue State, and Father O’Connell Science College, Niger State, recently emerged champions in the girls’ and boys’ categories of the MILO Basketball Championship at the Central Conference regional finals.

Now in its 26th edition, the annual MILO Basketball Championship continued to serve as a youth development platform for school sports, leveraging basketball as a platform to inspire discipline, teamwork, resilience and confidence among young people; with over 13,000 schools applied to participate in this year’s edition.

At the Central Conference regional finals, seven schools competed for a place at the national finals.

Government Secondary School, Gboko, won the girls’ category with a 63–31 victory over Nigeria Defence Academy Staff Secondary School, Kaduna State, while Father O’Connell Science College, Niger State, won the boys’ category after a hard-fought 56–53 win over Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa Life Camp, Abuja.

Friday Victoria Ada of Government Secondary School, Gboko, Benue State, was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the girls’ category.

Wearing jersey number 13, she contributed 25 points out of her team’s 63 points, playing a key role in their victory.

In the boys’ category, Idris Mohamed of Father O’Connell College, Niger State, was named Most Valuable Player. Wearing jersey number 5, he delivered an impressive performance, contributing 20 points out of his team’s 56 points.

The Central Conference is the second of four regional conferences in the 26th MILO Basketball Championship.

“Every game played at this championship reminds us of the courage, determination, and promise that exist in our young people,” Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, Category Manager, who was represented by Funmilola Oyewole, MILO Sports marketing manager, stated.

Tweneboah-Koduah highlighted the role of the championship in inspiring young athletes to pursue excellence beyond sporting activities.

“At MILO, we are proud to continue supporting a platform that helps young people turn their passion into purpose,” he stated.

He added that the students are not only competing for medals, but are learning to believe in themselves, to work as a team, and rise above challenges.

With the Savannah and Central Conferences now concluded, the championship will move to the Atlantic Conference, where nine schools each in the boys’ and girls’ categories will compete for a chance to join the race to the national finals.

At the Savannah Conference, Government Secondary School, Zing, Taraba State, emerged champions in the girls’ category, while Family Support Programme School, Katsina State, won the boys’ category.

Together with the Central Conference champions, they form part of the growing list of regional winners heading towards the grand finale in Lagos.

The winning teams from the Central Conference will advance to the national finals, scheduled to hold in Lagos on July 2, 2026, where they will compete with other regional champions for the ultimate title.