Basketball in Africa

Top and seasoned administrators in the on-going 9th edition of the national finals of the Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship, have praised the sponsors for the development of the game in the country.

Assistant Head, Schools Sports in Kano State, Raibu Abdu said that Nestle Milo has done more than any other corporate bodies in the development of the game of basketball in the country.

"They have really done so well every year. There is no hiding the fact that the company has contributed more than any other company in the country.

"This year's national finals of the championship has lived up to expectations and we are glad with what the players have exhibited.

"I'm more impressed with the standard of the game in the girls category. They have really improved tremendously and it is a plus to the sponsors. I just hope they will keep up the tempo", he said.

National coordinator of the championship, Col. Sam Ahmedu, also spoke in the same vein with Abdu.

"It is a promise that they are keeping faith with. They promised that they will continue to help develop the game and they have not relented and we hope they will not relent", he said.

Meanwhile, in some of the matches decided on the opening day of the national finals, FCT, Abuja girls representatives lost 13 - 19 points to their counterparts from Ebonyi, while Delta State representatives in the girls category defeated their counterparters from Adamawa.

In the boys category, Kano State representatives lost 33 - 39 points to their opponents from Borno, while Oyo State representatives defeated Delta State 32-29 points.

The championship comes to an end on Saturday, October 20, with the boys final.