24th MILO Secondary School Basketball Championship Finals to Showcase Nigerian Basketball Talents

Nestlé Nigeria is pleased to announce the highly anticipated national finals of the 24th MILO Basketball Championship (MBC). Taking place from June 23rd to June 28th, 2024, at the prestigious Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, this championship will bring together the finest young basketball talents from across the country.

Launched in 1999 with fewer than 500 schools, the MBC has grown to include over 10,000 schools, nurturing more than 200,000 aspiring athletes annually, now including children with special abilities.

For over two decades, the MILO Basketball Championship has played a vital role in shaping the Nigerian grassroots sports landscape, nurturing talented players who have achieved remarkable success both locally and internationally. Additionally, the championship has been instrumental in instilling crucial life values such as determination, tenacity, endurance, perseverance, teamwork, and self-confidence in participants, preparing them for the future.

Speaking at the press conference and draws for the national finals, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, represented by the Commercial Director, Mr. Boladale Odunlami said, “MILO has been a cornerstone of youth empowerment in Nigeria, providing over 3.5 million school-aged children annually with opportunities to experience the transformative power of sports through programs like the MILO Building Champs and the Milo Basketball Championship. We firmly believe that every child, irrespective of their background or physical abilities, deserves the opportunity to unlock their inherent potential through participation in sports. This is why awe are unwavering in our commitment to ignite the spirit of champions within the children every single day by creating opportunities through sports.”

Mrs. Ifeanyi Orabuche, Category Manager for Beverages at Nestlé Nigeria, added, "We commenced this year's championship with a pool of over 12,000 talented teams nationwide. The competition has proved to be the most intense yet, culminating in the traditional selection of only twelve finalists—six teams in each category for boys and girls. Though not everyone made it to the finals and only two teams will emerge as winners, the stories of inspiration and heroism that have emerged from this year’s championship and the past editions underscore the profound impact sports can have on young athletes, helping them become the best versions of themselves."

The twelve qualified teams will compete fiercely for the championship trophy, cash prizes, basketball kits, and an array of MILO goodies at the finals. Nestlé Nigeria extends its gratitude to the Lagos State government, the Lagos State Sports Council, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the championship's longstanding partners, the Nigerian Schools Sports Federation (NSSF) and the National Collegiate Sports Foundation (NCSF), for their invaluable support.

The schools that have qualified for this year’s national finals are as follows:

Northern Conference - Girls:

· Government Secondary School, Karu, FCT, Abuja

· Zarumai Model School, Minna, Niger State

· Queen Amina College, Kaduna, Kaduna State

Northern Conference - Boys:

· Father O'Connell Science College, Minna, Niger State took f

· Rumfa College, Kano, Kano State and Government Day Secondary School,

· Pantami, Gombe State securing the second and third positions, respectively.

Southern Conference - Girls:

· Dom-Domingos College, Warri, Delta State

· Topfield College Ajegunle, Apapa,

· Onireke High School, Ibadan, Oyo State

Southern Conference - Boys:

· Bishop Dimieari Grammar School, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

· Ijaye Housing Estate Grammar School, Ijaye, Lagos State

· FAAN Secondary School, Calabar, Cross River State

In addition to the MILO Basketball Championship, MILO annually promotes physical activity among school-aged children through the MILO Building Champs initiative, formerly known as the MILO School Sports Development Program. This initiative, which has spanned 25 years, impacted over 3.5 million children in 2023 alone.

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