Lagos and Ekiti Schools Head to National Basketball Finals

Davidhall International College from Lagos and Ado Grammar School from Ekiti State have won the Western Conference of the 26th MILO Basketball Championship. They have secured their spots in the national finals.

The Western Conference wrapped up the regional phase of this year's championship. Schools from all over the region battled for places in the national finals set for July 2 at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

Ado Grammar School took home the girls' title after a tough match, beating Lanreleke Academy from Osun State 53, 49. This victory marks the first time the Ekiti school has qualified for the national finals.

In the boys' category, Davidhall International College narrowly defeated God's Blessings Comprehensive College from Oyo State 82, 81 in an exciting game to claim the championship and their place in the national competition.

MILO has organized this competition for 26 years. It remains a key event for finding young talents and encouraging discipline, teamwork, and leadership through sports.

Organisers mentioned that over 13,000 schools applied to join this year's championship. This shows how popular the tournament has become across Nigeria.

Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, the Category Manager for MILO at Nestlé Nigeria Plc, spoke at the event. He emphasized the company's support for youth development through sports.

"At MILO, we believe that sport is one of the most powerful tools for shaping character and building future leaders. Through the Basketball Championship, we continue to provide young people with opportunities to develop discipline, resilience, teamwork and determination, qualities that will serve them well beyond the court," he said.

Individual players also shone during the competition.

Miracle Akinola from Ado Grammar School was named the Most Valuable Player for the girls after scoring 22 points to lead her team to victory. She wore jersey number 10 and scored nearly half of her team's points in the final.

In the boys' category, Emmanuel Saleh from Davidhall International College was the Most Valuable Player. He wore jersey number seven and contributed 19 points, playing a key role in the close win.

The event also attracted officials from the Oyo State Ministry of Education. Representatives from the Nigeria School Sport Federation, the National Council on School Sport, and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) were present.

With the Western Conference now complete, the regional stage of the 26th MILO Basketball Championship has finished.

Earlier conferences crowned Government Secondary School, Zing, Taraba State, and Family Support Programme Secondary School, Katsina State, as winners in the Savannah Conference for girls and boys, respectively.

Government Secondary School, Gboko, Benue State, and Father O’Connell Science College, Niger State, became champions in the Central Conference. St. Jude Girls Secondary School, Bayelsa State, and King Amakree Academy, Rivers State, won the titles in the Atlantic Conference.

Now that all regional champions are confirmed, the focus shifts to Lagos. The best school teams in the country will compete for national honors at the championship finals in July.