The upcoming national finals of the 24th MILO Basketball Championship are set to showcase Nigeria’s top young basketball talent. Nestlé Nigeria announced that the event will take place from June 23rd to June 28th, 2024, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos.
Since its launch in 1999, the championship has grown from fewer than 500 schools to over 10,000, nurturing more than 200,000 aspiring athletes each year. The competition now includes children with special abilities, making it more inclusive than ever.
Over the past two decades, the MILO Basketball Championship has played a crucial role in developing Nigeria’s grassroots sports. Many participants have gone on to achieve success both in Nigeria and internationally. Beyond sports skills, the championship helps instill important life values such as determination, teamwork, and self-confidence in young players.
Nestlé Nigeria’s Commercial Director, Mr. Boladale Odunlami, emphasized the company’s commitment to youth empowerment through sports. He stated that MILO provides opportunities for over 3.5 million school-aged children annually to experience the positive impact of sports.
This year’s championship began with over 12,000 teams nationwide, with only twelve teams making it to the finals – six boys’ teams and six girls’ teams. The finalists will compete for the championship trophy, cash prizes, basketball kits, and MILO products.
The qualified teams come from various parts of Nigeria, representing both the Northern and Southern Conferences. Schools from states such as Abuja, Niger, Kaduna, Kano, Delta, Lagos, Oyo, Bayelsa, and Cross River will be participating in the finals.
Nestlé Nigeria expressed gratitude to the Lagos State government, various ministries, and long-standing partners like the Nigerian Schools Sports Federation (NSSF) and the National Collegiate Sports Foundation (NCSF) for their support.
In addition to the Basketball Championship, MILO also runs the Building Champs initiative, which promotes physical activity among school-aged children. This program, running for 25 years, impacted over 3.5 million children in 2023 alone.
The MILO Basketball Championship continues to be a significant platform for discovering and nurturing young basketball talent in Nigeria. As the finals approach, excitement is building to see which teams will emerge victorious and which young players might be the next stars of Nigerian basketball.
This event not only highlights the importance of sports in youth development but also demonstrates the ongoing commitment of corporate sponsors like Nestlé to support grassroots sports initiatives in Nigeria. As the championship enters its 24th year, it remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for young athletes across the country.
