MILO Basketball Championship: GSS Gboko, Father O’Connell Emerge Central Conference Champions

MILO Basketball Championship: GSS Gboko, Father O’Connell Emerge Central Conference Champions

LAGOS, Nigeria – Government Secondary School (GSS), Gboko, Benue State, and Father O’Connell Science College, Niger State, have emerged champions of the Central Conference regional finals at the 26th edition of the MILO Basketball Championship.

The victories secured the schools’ qualification for the National Finals scheduled to hold in Lagos on July 2, 2026, where they will compete against other regional champions for the coveted national title.

In the girls’ category, GSS Gboko delivered a dominant performance, defeating Nigeria Defence Academy Staff Secondary School, Kaduna State, 63–31 to clinch the conference title. In the boys’ category, Father O’Connell Science College edged Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa Life Camp, Abuja, 56–53 in a closely contested final.

The championship, which has served as a platform for youth development through sports for over two decades, continues to promote discipline, teamwork, resilience and leadership among young Nigerians.

This year’s competition attracted applications from more than 13,000 schools across the country, underlining the growing popularity and impact of the tournament.

Speaking at the event, MILO Sports Marketing Manager, Mrs. Funmilola Oyewole, who represented the Category Manager, Mr. Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, emphasized the importance of the championship in shaping the future of young athletes.

According to Tweneboah-Koduah, the tournament goes beyond winning medals, providing participants with opportunities to develop confidence, teamwork and the determination needed to succeed in life.

“Every game played at this championship reminds us of the courage, determination and promise that exist in our young people. These students are not only competing for medals; they are learning to believe in themselves, to work as a team and to rise above challenges,” he said.

Individual brilliance also stood out during the competition. Friday Victoria Ada of GSS Gboko was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the girls’ category after scoring 25 points in her team’s 63-point victory.

In the boys’ category, Idris Mohamed of Father O’Connell Science College earned the MVP award, contributing 20 points to his team’s winning tally of 56 points.

The Central Conference marks the second of four regional conferences in the championship. With both the Savannah and Central Conferences concluded, attention now shifts to the Atlantic Conference, where nine schools each in the boys’ and girls’ categories will battle for places at the National Finals.

Earlier, Government Secondary School, Zing, Taraba State, won the girls’ title at the Savannah Conference, while Family Support Programme School, Katsina State, emerged champions in the boys’ category.

The event attracted officials from ministries in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as representatives of the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), Nigeria Council of School Sports Federation (NCSF), and the FIBA.

The National Finals in Lagos will bring together the best school basketball teams from across the country in a bid to determine the overall champions of the 26th MILO Basketball Championship.