NCSF Secretary General honored by MILO

The Secretary General of the National Collegiate Sports Foundation (NCSF), Mr. Lanre Balogun, has been honored with a Special Recognition Award from Nestlé Nigeria in recognition of his contributions to the development of youth and school sports.

The award was presented by the MILO Sports Marketing Manager, Mrs. Funmilola Oyewole, during the press conference of the 26th edition of the Milo Basketball Championship held on Wednesday.

Receiving the award, Balogun expressed his gratitude to Nestlé Nigeria for the recognition and reaffirmed his commitment to the growth of the sport in the country.

“Thank you, Nestlé PLC. In fact, I believe in hard work. I don’t rest. I like to work. Thank you very much,” Balogun said.

The NCSF Secretary General commended Nestlé Nigeria for its continued support of grassroots sports through the Milo Basketball Championship, which has become one of the most successful school sports competitions in the country.

“The National Collegiate Sports Foundation deeply appreciates the unwavering commitment of our sponsors, Nestle Nigeria PLC,” he said.

He also praised the efforts of technical and administrative officials, state coordinators, coaches, teachers and school authorities whose collaboration has contributed to the success and growth of the championship over the years.

According to Balogun, the tournament has become a platform that not only discovers talents but also equips young athletes with valuable life skills.

“To our youth athletes, remember that you are not here just to compete. You are here to represent the future. Every pass, every play and every decision reflects your school, your coaches, your state and your family,” he said.

He encouraged participants to make the most of the opportunity the championship provides and use the experience to develop confidence, character and leadership qualities that will serve them well beyond sports.

Balogun also challenged the technical and administrative officials to maintain professionalism and integrity throughout the competition to ensure fair and memorable national finals.

Addressing the finalists, he urged them to compete with respect and sportsmanship.

“Play hard, play fair and respect the rules of the competition. The greatest reward in life is not just the trophy but the character and values ​​you demonstrate throughout the journey,” he said.

The sports administrator reserved special praise for Nestlé Nigeria, noting that the company’s support for over 26 years has helped thousands of young Nigerians discover their talents and pursue their dreams through sports.

“Their commitment has given thousands of young Nigerians a stage to showcase their talents, build confidence and dream big. MILO remains the energy drink of champions,” he said.

Balogun further highlighted the importance of inclusion in sports and emphasized that opportunities must be available to all athletes, including those living with disabilities.

“We will continue to partner with relevant organizations to showcase talent because there is capacity in disability,” he added.

The 26th Milo Basketball Championship will see 12 schools from across Nigeria competing at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, as the teams battle for national honors in the boys and girls categories.