Winners emerge in Nestle/MILO Basketball Championship

 

 

Winners have emerged at the just concluded 2017 Nestle/Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship, the 19th edition held on Wednesday, June 21 at the Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State.

The national Basketball tournament saw various secondary schools across the nation compete for the trophy.

The tournament was lite with numerous exciting events showcasing various talents in the game across the nation. There is no doubt that the fans, spectators and even the scouts had a very exciting time and hands full of unforgettable experiences to go home with.

Many will agree that culling from the games played in both categories; the best teams had the glory.

Mauricio Alarcon, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Nestle Nigeria Plc said that the company believes firmly that sports provides the opportunity for the development of qualities that set the foundation for a child’s future.

“For 19 years, the Milo Basketball Championship has helped the players to inculcate these qualities- perseverance through hardship, courage to overcome fear, ability to work in a team, self-belief, respect and leadership,” he said.

He also added that the company has been in the forefront of sports development in Nigeria in line with our purpose that is enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future.

“This year, the tournament has witnessed displays of outstanding basketball skills, a testimony of how the standards of the game have improved over the years.

 

“A lot of the current male and female Nigerian national team players are alumni of the Milo Basketball Championships. Our players are in European Leagues, the NBA and WNBA.”

“The likes of Evelyn Akator, Chioma Udeaja-Okoro, Vera Angwe and Uji Ogoka are all Nestle Milo Basketball Alumni.”

In the Girls category, St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa State won the most honors, winning the Fair Play Trophy and in addition to the First Place Trophy, taking home the medal for the fourth time and cash prize of N150,000. The victory did not end there as John Grace from St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Bayelsa emerged the Most Valuable Player in the female category.

Speaking on the MVP award, John Grace said, “We really worked hard for this championship and by His grace, we won it. This is the fourth time of winning the national championship; 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2017.”

Still in the Girls category, Yejide Girls Grammar School, Ibadan, Oyo State took the second place after conceding victory to the St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata in a 41-14.

The girls from Oyo did not go empty handed as they received medals, Certificate, Basketball trainers, MILO products and cash prize of N120,000. The 3rd position went to the girls form Government Secondary School, Gboko, who also received medals, cash prize of N100,000, Certificate and MILO products, other runners up where given Certificates.

In the Boys category, Government Secondary School, Minna narrowly edged Government Secondary School, Karu, FCT Abuja 65- 60 to emerge champions in a game that many will describe as very competitive.

The Minna boys took home medals, cash prize of N150,000 and a certificate. Aminu Usman from Government Secondary School, Minna won the Most Valuable Player award in the Boys category.

The boys from Government Secondary School, Karu, FCT Abuja received medals, cash prize of N120,000, Certificate and Basketball trainers.

St. Augustine’s Seminary Ezzamgba, Ebonyi won the Fair Play Trophy in addition to medals, a cash prize of N100,000 and certificate.

The championship is being sponsored by Nestle Nigeria Plc in partnership with the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Nigerian Schools Sports Federation (NSSF), National Collegiate Sport foundation (NCSF) and the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).

 

Anthony Nlebem & Hezron Atunde