The Western Conference of the 23rd MILO Secondary Schools Basketball Championship witnessed an impressive performance by Topfield College from Ajegunle, Lagos State.
Dominating both the girls’ and boys’ categories, they emerged as the winners in an exhilarating tournament held on Monday, June 5, 2023.
The Indoor Sports Hall of the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, served as the venue for this remarkable event.
In the girls’ category, Topfield College clashed with Kings International College from Moniya, Ibadan, Oyo State, in a highly competitive encounter.
After a thrilling battle, Topfield College emerged victorious with a final score of 36 points to 30 points, securing their triumph.
Following in the footsteps of their female counterparts, the boys’ team from Topfield College also showcased their prowess.
They faced off against Adedokun International School from Ota, Ogun State, in a one-sided game, prevailing with a commanding score of 48 points to 17 points.
Expressing his delight, Mr. Godswill Anukaku, the coach of Topfield College, Ajegunle, Lagos, stated, “It is an immense privilege to participate in this prestigious platform. I am filled with joy and pride as we advance to the national championships in Lagos, just as we did last year. While we emerged victorious in the conference stage here, we couldn’t showcase our true potential at the nationals, finishing third. However, I assure you that this year, our goal is to secure first place in both the boys’ and girls’ categories.”
Mrs. C. A. Abioye, the Permanent Secretary of the Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, expressed gratitude to Nestlé for their invaluable support throughout the years. She also urged other corporate entities to emulate Nestlé’s example by lending their support to school sports.
Speaking further, Mrs. Abioye said, “The Oyo State Government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that Sports is taken to higher heights. One of such efforts is the upgrading of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, including the Indoor Sports Hall, the venue of this program. The government encourages students’ participation in sports by supporting inter house sports competitions, which are yielding favorable results in
students’ performance at competitions”.
The students of Topfield College in Ajegunle, Lagos State, comprising both girls and boys, have successfully qualified for the national finals of a competition taking place in Lagos in July. Alongside them, other teams that have secured their spots in the national finals are the winners of the Savannah Conference, which occurred in Kano from May 3rd to May 10th, the Central Conference held at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja from May 12th to May 19th, and the Atlantic Conference that took place in Asaba from May 20th to May 27th, 2023.
Mr. Olutayo Olatunji, the Category Manager for Beverages at Nestlé Nigeria, reaffirmed Nestlé’s unwavering dedication to nurturing talent, promoting healthier lifestyles, and instilling values that lead to success in life through sports. He emphasized that MILO firmly believes that children gain enduring values through their participation in sports, which ultimately contribute to their achievements in life.
“We are therefore, pleased to have this opportunity to provide a platform where young talents find expression through MILO Secondary School Basketball Championship. On the field of play, the teams depend on the discipline, perseverance, courage, self-belief, and respect that they imbibe during practice and through their interactions with each other. These life skills are not only for basketball; they equip the players to navigate their careers and to be productive in society. This is grit, learned from sports but useful in every area of life.”
For over 23 years, Nestlé Nigeria’s MILO Secondary School Basketball Championship has been dedicated to promoting the value of grit among school children. This championship has played a crucial role in teaching essential life skills such as resilience, persistence, stamina, cooperation, and self-belief. By instilling these values, young participants are equipped with the necessary tools to overcome challenges and accomplish their goals in life.
Nestlé remains at the forefront of grassroots sports development in Nigeria through its ongoing support of the MILO Basketball Championship. This initiative has contributed significantly to the development of numerous players who have gone on to represent the Nigerian national teams and achieve recognition in esteemed clubs worldwide.
During the Western Conference of the MILO Basketball Championship, held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan from May 30th to June 6th, 2023, several states participated. These included Edo, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo (the host state), Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Kwara, and Anambra.
Since its inception in 1999 with around 500 schools, the MILO Basketball Championship has experienced remarkable growth. It now encompasses over 10,000 schools, engaging more than 150,000 individual players from across Nigeria annually.