By News Express on May 20, 2016

Kogi State representatives, Crothe Memorial College and Harmony Secondary School, have deservedly emerged as champions of the Confluence Conference zone in the 18th Milo Basketball Championship at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Confluence Stadium.

The cheering fans enjoyed the basketball skills that the budding talents displayed in the capital city of Kogi State on Thursday, May 19.

In the clash of titans, Crothe Memorial College displayed the spirit of true champions when they produced a world class performance to overcome General Muritala College 39-37 in the boys’ final.

The girls’ final was a dramatic affair. Gallant Harmony Secondary School fought the battle of their lives to emerge as champions.

The Kogi girls had been written off after going down 5-0 to Government Secondary School Numan Adamawa at the end of the first quarter. However, Obatoyinbo Bidemi and MVP of the girls’ event, Amodu Ketimu, ran the show and dunked nine points between them in the last two quarters of the entertaining to miraculously hand victory to the Kogi team.

Speaking after the match, coach of the Adamawa team, Tinism Dickson, said that his wards failed to play to instruction when it mattered most.

“It is a sad loss, we thought we could defend the title for the third time. I hold no player responsible, but it is the collective fault of the team, we did not get our shots right and our defence failed woefully in the last quarter of the game,” he said.

Secretary to the State Government of Kogi State, Mrs. Ayoade Ariike, who represented Governor Yahaya Bello, extolled Nestle Plc for sustaining the sponsorship of the only major secondary school championships in the country for the past 18 years. She also commended Nestle Milo for developing sporting talents in Nigeria, stressing that the state will look forward to hosting the championships in the coming years.

On his part, North Central Regional Manager, Nestle Milo Plc, Mr Adeyeye Afolabi, said: “Sport is a great teacher and children’s participation in sports helps set the foundation for a solid future.

“They learn determination to succeed, discipline to persevere and many more life values by participating in sports. We will continue to provide them this platform.”

The grand finale of this year’s championship is expected to hold outside Lagos for the first time with Asaba, the Delta State capital, as host.

Source News Express

Posted May 20, 2016

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