Lagos schools dominate Milo Western Conference Basketball Championship

DAVID Hall College, Obalende, Ikoyi, and Topfield College, Ajugunle, Apapa, both in Lagos, have dominated the Western Conference of the 22nd Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship.

Their wins have qualified them to play in the national finale of the championship this year.

Hard-fighting David Hall College defeated the girls from Osogbo Grammar School, Osogbo, Osun State, 31 to 15 to emerge champions in the girls category.

In the boys category, Topfield College won by a single point, defeating Victorroti Private Secondary School, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, 47 to 46.

Speaking on Thursday at the closing ceremony of the championship held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, Category Manager for Beverages, Nestle Nigeria, Mr Olutayo Olatunji, said: “It is a delight to be here and to witness this exceptional display of skills at this Western Conference finals.

“At Milo, we believe that sports provide a platform to teach children grit and help them imbibe values on their journey to success in life. This is why we have been committed to the Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship in Nigeria for the last 22 editions.

“This championship will continue to provide opportunities for developing qualities, including leadership skills, ability to work in a team, perseverance, courage, self-belief and respect in these young ones who participate.”

The Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Rahman Abdul-Rasheed, thanked Nestle Nigeria Plc “for this giant step the company has taken in organising a competition of this magnitude nationwide, consistently for over two decades.”

Abdul-Rasheed said: “Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship has contributed to national development through healthy competitions among our youths where talents are discovered, trained and showcased to the world.”

The Western Conference of the 22nd Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship was hosted at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, from May 28 to June 3, 2022.

The conference comprises Lagos, Ondo, Ogun Ekiti and the host state, Oyo. Others are Edo, Delta, Osun and Kogi.

The winners in both the male and female categories will compete with winners from the previously concluded Savanna Conference, Central Conference and Equatorial Conference in the National Finals at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, from June 25 to July 1, 2022.

Over the last two decades, the Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship has emphasised the importance of grit to teach schoolchildren vital life values such as determination, tenacity, endurance, perseverance and team work.