NSSF praises Nestlé for supporting school sports

The Nigeria School Sport Federation has praised Nestlé Nigeria Plc for its strong support for grassroots sports. This support comes through the ongoing sponsorship of Nigeria's longest school basketball tournament, the MILO Secondary School Basketball Championship.

Now in its 26th year, this annual tournament has helped many players who have gone on to represent Nigeria in various competitions around the world.

At a press conference before the national finals that started on Saturday, NSSF President Olabisi Joseph said Nestlé's support is unmatched.

"On behalf of the Nigeria School Sport Federation, I sincerely thank Nestlé Nigeria Plc and the MILO brand for their unwavering support and commitment to youth development through sports. Your investment over the past twenty-six years has positively impacted millions of Nigerian children and created a legacy in school sports."

Joseph highlighted that the championship is more than just a game.

"For twenty-six editions, the impact has been remarkable. The MILO brand has partnered with NSSF to build a foundation where passion meets purpose, serving as a breeding ground for excellence. Many young talents discovered here have gone on to represent their states, wear the national colours, and even build successful professional careers both at home and abroad."

This year's edition had over 13,000 schools from across Nigeria competing from state qualifiers to the national finals. Twelve teams, including first-timers from Katsina and Ekiti, are fighting for victory in Lagos.

Besides the competition, the finals will include clinics, mentorship sessions, and cultural displays. To make sure everything is fair, NSSF will use screening, biometrics, and data collection to verify the eligibility of school-aged participants.

Joseph finished by saying that the championship is not only about winning trophies. It is also about building confidence, leadership, and citizenship in Nigerian youth.