Jesus College Otukpo, Benue, on Saturday defeated Henson Demonstration Group of Schools, Benin, 72-59 to emerge the champions of the 16th Nestle Milo Secondary School Basketball championships in Lagos.
Also, Government Girls’ Secondary School, Gboko, Benue, beat CAC Grammar School, Akure, 35-25 to emerge champions in the girls’ category.
Yejide Girls’ Grammar School, Ibadan, beat St. Jude’s Girls’ Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa, 30-12 to secure the third place medals in the girlís category.
In the boys’ category, Gen. Murtala Mohammed College, Adamawa, beat St. Augustine Seminary, Ezamgbo, Ebonyi, 42-27 to clinch the bronze medals.
Each of the first placed teams received N150, 000, the championship trophy, first place medals, branded balls and Nike sports shoes.
The second placed teams received N120, 000, silver medals, branded balls and Nike sports shoes, while third place teams received N100, 000, bronze medals, Nike sports shoes and branded balls.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 7,530 schools featured in the completion and 12 schools emerged as the conference champions.
The competition was tagged “Slam Like a Championíí.
The 12 schools competed for honours at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, from Dec. 2 to Dec. 6.
Coach Isiaka Ajadi of Jesus College, Otukpo, told NAN that his team was won through hard work and discipline.
He said that it was a great achievement for Benue to win in the male and female categories.
“We are happy for this great achievement; it came through hard work and discipline.
“We want to use the opportunity to thank the organisers of the competition, Nestle Milo, for efforts all through the years in helping many young people to express themselves in basketball.
“We look forward to the next edition with great enthusiasm that it is going to be successful for us,íí Ajadi said.
Equally, Coach Aondna Zakaa of the Government Girlsí Secondary School, Gboko, told newsmen that the girls were worthy to be 2014 champions, having lost in the 2013 final match.
“We are delighted to be champions this year; we lost in last yearís final, and went back home to do our homework.
“The result of that hard work and determination to become champions is what we have achieved; so, we have every reason to be happy,íí Zakaa said.
Mr Dharnesh Gordhon, the Managing Director, Nestle Nig. Plc. said that the company remained committed to developing youths through sports.
He said that the 2014 edition was a success.
“Milo, the energy food drink for the future champions, remains committed to the development of sports at the grassroots.
“The brand will continue to instill the values of hard work, responsibility, fair play, discipline, perseverance and team work.
“The 16th edition continued in the philosophy to expose and harness the enormous potential of our youths and the abundant talents in our country.
