Government Secondary School (GSS), Gboko, Benue State, and Father O’Connell Science College, Niger State, have emerged champions of the Central Conference regional finals of the 26th MILO Basketball Championship, earning qualification spots for the national finals scheduled for Lagos.
The championship, which has become one of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots sports development platforms, continues to promote discipline, teamwork, resilience and leadership among young students through basketball.
This year’s competition attracted applications from more than 13,000 schools across Nigeria, highlighting the growing popularity and impact of the tournament in youth sports development.
At the Central Conference finals, Government Secondary School, Gboko dominated the girls’ category with a convincing 63–31 victory over Nigeria Defence Academy Staff Secondary School, Kaduna State.
In the boys’ category, Father O’Connell Science College secured a dramatic 56–53 win against Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa Life Camp, Abuja, to claim the regional title.
Speaking at the event, MILO Sports Marketing Manager, Mrs. Funmilola Oyewole, who represented the Category Manager, Mr. Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, said the championship continues to inspire young athletes to pursue excellence beyond sports.
According to him, every game played during the competition demonstrates the courage, determination and potential of Nigerian students, while helping them develop confidence, teamwork and leadership skills.
Individual performances also stood out during the competition.
Friday Victoria Ada of Government Secondary School, Gboko, was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the girls’ category after contributing 25 points to her team’s winning total of 63 points.
In the boys’ category, Idris Mohamed of Father O’Connell Science College earned the MVP award after scoring 20 points to help his team secure victory.
The Central Conference marks the second regional stage of the 26th MILO Basketball Championship. With both the Savannah and Central Conferences completed, attention now shifts to the Atlantic Conference, where schools will battle for qualification tickets to the national finals.
Earlier, Government Secondary School, Zing, Taraba State, won the girls’ category at the Savannah Conference, while Family Support Programme School, Katsina State, emerged champions in the boys’ category.
The winning teams from the Central Conference will join other regional champions at the National Finals scheduled for July 2, 2026, in Lagos, where they will compete for the coveted national title.
The event attracted education and sports stakeholders, including representatives of the National School Sports Federation (NSSF), the Nigeria Customs Service Foundation (NCSF), FIBA officials and dignitaries from the Federal Capital Territory ministries.