Milo Basketball builds a better Nigeria, says NSSF

The President of the Nigerian Schools Sports Federation (NSSF), Bisi Joseph, has described the Milo National Schools Basketball Championship as more than just a sports competition, saying it is helping to lay the foundation for a better Nigeria.

Joseph made these remarks ahead of the 26th edition of the championship, which will feature 12 schools from across the country at the Surulere National Stadium, Lagos.

According to her, the championship has become the oldest grassroots basketball competition in Nigeria and has played an important role in youth development since its inception.

“We are not just building a competition; we are laying the foundation for a better Nigeria.

“We are not just organizing an event, we are creating a legacy. Every child who participates in school sports learns discipline, teamwork, unity and leadership. These are values ​​that help create responsible citizens,” he said.

The NSSF President commended Nestle Nigeria, creators of Milo, for sustaining the competition for 26 years and providing young Nigerians with opportunities to discover and develop their talents.

“Milo School Basketball has become a household name. Every year, students across Nigeria look forward to participating because it is a life-changing event,” he said.

Joseph noted that the championship has produced numerous basketball talents who have played professionally both in Nigeria and abroad.

“The impact is tremendous. Today, there is hardly a basketball league or team in Nigeria that does not have players who have passed the Milo Basketball Championship,” he added.

The NSSF chief also highlighted the role of school sports in promoting national integration, noting that the competition brings together students from different regions and cultural backgrounds.

“It is wonderful to see a child from Bayelsa interact with another from Ekiti or Osun. Sports bring people together and help build friendships that transcend ethnic and regional differences,” he said.

Joseph revealed that this year’s championship attracted 13,256 schools during the qualifying stages, making it one of the most competitive editions in the tournament’s history.

He described several conference games as exciting encounters, with some games being decided by a single point in the final seconds.

“We witnessed some incredible basketball on the conference stage. The level of competition continues to improve each year, and that shows how much the championship has grown,” he said.

The 2025 national final will feature six men’s teams and six women’s teams representing different regions of the country.

Men’s teams

• Father O’Connell College of Science, Minna, Niger State
• King Amakree Academy, Rivers State
• Government Secondary School, FCT
• David Hall International School, Lagos State
• Family Support Program Secondary School, Katsina State
• Urhobo University, Delta State

women’s teams

• Lanreleke Academy, Osun State
• St. Jude Girls Secondary School, Bayelsa State
• Government Secondary School, Benue State
• Ado Secondary School, Ekiti State
• Urhobo University, Delta State
• Government Girls College, Bauchi State

Joseph urged participants to compete fairly and make the most of the opportunity the championship provides.

“These teams are no longer just representing their schools or states; they are representing their regions. They must play hard, play fair and continue to promote the values ​​that school sports represent,” he said.

He also congratulated all the finalists, calling them champions even before the start of the tournament.

“The fact that they have reached the national final demonstrates their dedication and commitment. They are already winners because of the values ​​they have acquired along the way,” he stated.

The post Milo Basketball Building Better Nigeria, Says NSSF appeared first on Sportxvibe.