The 22nd edition of the Nestle Milo Basketball State Conference Championship for secondary schools within the south east and south south region of the country drew the curtains over the weekend at the indoor sports hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, and Nestle Nigeria Plc have reiterated their continuous backings for the development of grassroot and school sports programs in the country.
The 6-day event which was sponsored by the beverage company in collaboration with the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) and National Collegiate Sports Foundation (NCSF) had states like Cross River, Anambra, Imo, Bayelsa, Enugu, Rivers and Ebonyi in attendance and competing for the ultimate crown in the male and female categories.
During his closing remarks, the Category and Beverages Manager, Mr. Tayo Olatunji expressed satisfaction over the massive participation and turnout of the event, adding that the champion of champions competition for all the winners in there various conferences would hold at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos in June, 2022.
On her part, the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) State Coordinator, Mrs. Justina Nwachukwu hinted about the involvement of the company in school sports development since 1995, thanking the officials of the state ministries for education, sports and other relevant stakeholders for their active role.
However, it was King Amachree Academy (Rivers) who were crowned champions of this year’s edition, as the side outclassed and dominated the huge and physical Bishop Dimieari Grammar School (Bayelsa) from the 1st and last quater by 30-20 for boys. And for winning the championship, rivers carted home a whooping sum of #100,000, a trophy, certificate and milo branded products.
In the first final played earlier, it was team Bayelsa who won the girls category, decimated and outshined their counterparts from Ebonyi state in a one sided after by 43-6, and were also rewarded accordingly.
Reflecting on the outcome of the final game, Coach of Rivers State, James Dagogo stated that their loss to Bayelsa in the group stage was a tactical blunder which did it not shift or affect their focus, hinting that the organisers are doing a good job.
Similarly, SS 2, Zina Inebubaraye Blessing (St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Bayelsa) won the Most Valuable Player award for the female category and 15 year-od Eric Cherish Abbey of King Amachree Academy (Rivers) who took home the award in the male category was indeed happy with his performance, adding that it was team work, discipline, determination and God’s grace that gave them the edge
In other awards, Urban sec school, (Imo) and FAAN sec school (Cross River) who were placed overall 3rd position on the medals table for both the female and male were rewarded with cash prize, certificate and milo products while Queens School, Enugu and St Augusine’s Seminary, Ebonyi also got the fair play award in the girls and boys category respectively.
Meanwhile, dignitaries present to grace the grande final includes representatives from the enugu state ministry of youth and sports, Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) Africa Zone 3, reps from NSSF, NCSF, NBBF, officials of PPSMB, students amongst others.
