Sports
7,000 Schools To Participate In Milo Basketball Tourney
Martin Woolnough, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Nestle Nigeria Plc has said that 7,000 schools across the country would feature in the 15th Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championships.
The state preliminaries of the competition will hold from March 4 to 18, while the four conference finals will hold between April 15 and May 15.
Woolnough who disclosed this at a news conference in Lagos that the number was an improvement over those of the previous editions because of the company’s commitment to developing sports. “In 2007 we engaged 2,500 schools, we doubled that number to 5,000 in 2012, and in 2013 we will engaged a total of 7,000 schools.
“These schools are across the six geo-political zones in the country and it proves our feat in stretching ourselves even in difficult times,” he explained.
The Managing Director said the theme for the 2013 competition, “Champions, It is Dunking Time’’, was designed to promote noble champions.
He said the making of champions required self-confidence, patience, determination, passion, preparation and listening to advice.
“Champions like to win; develop drive; learn to endure and accept challenge as well as work hard and love what they do,” he said.
He urged participants to demonstrate all the qualities of champions both at the state and at the conference levels.
In her address of welcome, the Category Business Manager, Nestle Milo Plc, Adedoja Ekeruche, said the conferences had been increased from two to four.
Ekeruche listed the additional conferences as Atlantic Conference in Enugu and Central Conference in Ibadan, while the existing ones are Western Conference in Akure and Confluence Conference in Lokoja.
“Every participating team will be given N160,000 each and the teams that qualified for the national finals will be given N200,000 each.
“Each winner of the four conferences will take home N30,000, while second and third place winners will receive N25,000 and N20,000 respectively,” she said.
Present at the occasion were the Vice President, Nigeria School Sports Federation, Martins Udomaiye and Remi Olowude, the Chairman, National Collegiate Sports Foundation.
The Secretary, Nigeria Basketball Federations (NBBF), Francis Gbiri, commended the company for its continuous efforts in grassroots basketball development.
St. Augustine Seminary Ezzamgbo, Ebonyi State and St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa State, are respectively the boys and girls defending champions.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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