By Peace Udugba
The 26th edition of the Nestlé Milo Basketball Championship officially tipped off with thrilling displays of talent, determination, and sportsmanship at the Savannah Conference regional finals held at the Sani Abacha Indoor Sports Hall in Kano.
The championship opened on a high note with an inspiring address delivered by Mrs. Opeyemi Jaiyeola, Category Development Manager, on behalf of Mr. Gilbert Tweneboah, Category Manager. Reflecting on the remarkable journey of the championship since its inception in 1999, he highlighted the transformational impact the competition has had on young Nigerians across the country.
“Since 1999, what started with fewer than 500 schools has grown into a national movement, now engaging over 12,000 schools annually. This growth is not by chance. It’s a result of dedication, consistency, and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to discover their strength and reach their full potential,” he stated.
The girls’ final delivered an exciting contest as Government Secondary School Zing, Taraba State, battled Government Girls College Unity School, Bauchi. After an intense encounter, Government Secondary School Zing emerged victorious with a 53–43 win.
The outstanding performer of the match, Happy Sylvester of Zing, was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) after an exceptional display that saw her score an impressive 38 points to lead her team to victory.
In the boys’ category, Family Support Programme, Katsina, edged past Government Secondary School Numan, Adamawa State, in a dramatic 64–63 victory. Friday Emmanuel delivered a match-winning performance for the Katsina side and was deservedly crowned the boys’ MVP after contributing 22 crucial points.
The Savannah Conference finals attracted notable dignitaries and stakeholders from across the sports and education sectors, including representatives from the Kano State Ministry of Education, Kano State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, media organisations, the Olympic Commission, and key partners such as the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), Nigeria Chess and Scrabble Federation (NCSF), and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
With the Savannah Conference concluded successfully, attention now shifts to the Central Region Finals scheduled to hold at the Indoor Sports Hall of Mogadishu Barracks. Teams from the region will compete fiercely for qualification spots at the National Finals set for Lagos this July.
For over two decades, the Milo Basketball Championship has continued to serve as a powerful platform for nurturing young talents, promoting teamwork, discipline, resilience, and inspiring future generations of Nigerian athletes.
