MASAI UJIRI’S GIANTS OF AFRICA TO HOST KIDS BASKETBALL CAMPS THIS SUMMER IN NIGERIA, GHANA, KENYA AND RWANDA

Masai Ujiri and Giants of Africa (GOA) announced today they will be holding camps in four countries across Africa this summer for the first time. Celebrating its 12th year of supporting the growth of basketball in Africa, Giants of Africa will be expanding its camps from Nigeria and Kenya to include Ghana and Rwanda this summer. Camps will be held in Nigeria from August 3-5, Ghana from August 7-9, Kenya from August 10-12 and Rwanda from August 13-15.

Giants of Africa camps ‎bring together top coaches from across the country to help run the sessions and are designed to help young basketball players develop athletically, achieve life goals and become better players. In addition to on-court basketball skills development, Giants of Africa strives to help foster participants via life skills support and local community outreach initiatives. ‎

“Running the Giants of Africa camps every year has become very important to us,” said Ujiri.

“ We have to give back and encourage the youth. While we all want to do well in our daily jobs, we must never forget what got us here. Using basketball to educate and develop African youth is just the beginning of what needs to be accomplished. Coaching the coaches and building infrastructure is key for the growth of the game on the continent. These kids are motivated, aspire to learn and continue to work hard. It is a responsibility for us to inspire them to keep aiming high by providing them opportunities to grow.”

MASAI UJIRI’S GIANTS OF AFRICA TO HOST KIDS BASKETBALL CAMPS THIS SUMMER IN NIGERIA, GHANA, KENYA AND RWANDA. photo credit http://giantsofafrica.org

Since the Giants of Africa camps began more than 100 camp attendees have moved on to high school or university in the United States, with around 20 now playing professionally in Europe.

Modeled after the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders outreach program, Giants of Africa holds two types of annual camps – Top 50 Camp and Big Man Camp. Its approach is to use the game of basketball as a means to teach and nurture important life skills.

The Top 50 Camp focuses on the top 50 kids from across the country and provides campers with three intense days of instruction.

The Big Man Camp teaches young athletes at six-foot-eight and above the basic fundamentals of the game with a focus on running, catching, footwork and shooting.

The goal for both camps is to begin to develop each of these athletes’ skills at a young, developmental age.

This approach provides an opportunity for ongoing improvement as each child continues to develop, learn and grow.

This summer’s camps are made possible through the support of partners from across the globe with special thanks to the NBA, Nike, Nestlé Milo, Ecobank, MLSE Foundation and Sportscorp Travel

17TH MILO BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: NESTLE MILO ARE PARTNERS IN PROGRESS- NSC & NSSF

For 17 years, the Nestle Milo Basketball Championship has remained the Nation’s flagship grassroot competition which gives the Nigerian Youth the opportunity to showcase their Basketball skills. This year’s edition took it to even greater heights. The standard of play was highly commendable with debutants from Kogi almost stealing the show but for the good finishing from the Kaduna boys. The National Sports Commission’s Director of Grassroots Sports, who took the ceremonial ‘Jump Ball’, was full of praises for the Sponsors Nestle Milo.

“With such competition like the Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball, our National teams and clubs have been getting constant supply and resource for the tired players. I am very happy with the organisation of the championship- from the state preliminaries to the Conference playoffs and the National final”.

17th Milo Championship

Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, president of the National School Sports Federation, commended Nestle Milo for hosting another hitch free championship. National School Sports Federation is one of the stakeholders, and technical partners to the tournament

“If other Corporate Organisations can do what Nestle Milo is doing in Basketball for other sports, the sky will be the nation’s limit. This is where the National Sports Commission should come in. Nestle has identified the talents, going further to groom and expose them in Top 50 Camp”.

For the Nestle officials present at this year’s final, it was all smiles in satisfaction for a job well executed. Femi Akintola, Nestle’s Category Manager (Beverages), said they are pleased with improved standard of play. “You notice that there is no dominance any longer, you have new champions, upsets at group stages which shows that Nestle’s gospel of Basketball is spreading”

Nestle presents the 17th Milo Basketball Championship

Akintola further said that the outstanding players will be invited for the top 50 camp by Nestle next month in Lagos. The camp will be conducted by top NBA coaches to be led by Masai Ujiri of The Toronto Raptors. A selection of players from the tournament will eventually represent Nigeria at an international tournament to be decided by the NSSF.

17TH MILO BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: NIGER, EDO, BAYELSA GIRLS THROUGH TO SEMI FINAL

As the qualifiers for the National final at the indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos continue the struggle to show case their basketball skills, the picture is getting very clearer in the girls category.

Niger State flag bearers Government Girls Secondary School Bida are set to play in the semi final of the Championship. The team beat kano State representatives Government Girls Secondary School Jogana 24-10, the team had earlier defeated Government Secondary School Numan Adamawa 26-16 to get the free ride to play in the semi finals.

Bayelsa State team, St Judes Girls Secondary School Amarsta, also got a place in the semi finals with its 29-28 victory over Yejide Girls Grammar School Ibadan, Oyo State. However, Bayelsa and Edo will lock horns to know the final placing before the semi final match.

Coach Tony Nelson of Bayelsa State says his team cannot afford to make any mistakes. “We met in the Atlantic Conference final and my girls made so many errors that led to our defeat. This time around we will show them we have corrected those mistakes”. Team Captain of Bayelsa girls Faith Jeremiah is optimistic. “The National final is not the Conference Final. We know them too well, my team mates are very fit. It will be decided on the court”.

Although Yejide Girls Grammar School Ibadan, Oyo State is no more in contention for the top position. However, the team will continue to honour his matches for classification.

photo credit Afolabi Oni Guarantor

17TH MILO BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: LAGOS SHOCKS EBONYI, NIGER, EDO ALSO SHINE.

The 2014 Atlantic Conference Champions St. Augustine Seminary Ezzanugbo Ebonyi State failed to contain the fireworks in the group B first match in the boys category against Ilupeju Grammar School, Lagos State.

The Ebonyi boys started very well in the first and second quarters but could not manage their success in the last two quarters of the encounter which ended 32-25. Inspite of the pep talk and constant piloting by Rev. Fr. Donatus Ofuluozor the Ebonyi boys could not stop the rampaging Ilupeju Grammar School Lagos State.

“My boys lost grip in the 3rd quarter. So many fouls were against them and their shooting was also suspect. We have put that match behind us”. Rev. Fr. Ofuluozor said.

Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship.

Coach Yinka Oyeyemi of Ilupeju Grammar School whose boys put in an extra effort in the fourth quarter was pleased with the result. “It is good to start well, the champions from various Conferences are here in Lagos to pick the trophy. We have to be cautious, take our chances and make sure we finish well”.

In another encounter in group A St. Peter’s Idah Kogi State defeated Government Secondary School Barnawa, Kaduna State 45-43. Coach Riznma Sheneni of Kogi State believes the encounter was a very tough one.

“The margin was too close. It could have gone either way but my team was lucky and i did a lot from the bench”.

In the girls cadre, Niger State flag bearer Government Secondary School Bida defeated Government Secondary School Numan Adamawa State 26-16.

MILO SECONDARY SCHOOLS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: NIGER, EDO, KOGI — IN GOOD START

The 3 month secondary schools basketball season is winding down with the national finals of the Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship which began, Tuesday, at the Indoor Sports hall of the National Stadium in Lagos.

Niger State representatives in the girls’ category, Government Girls Secondary School Bida, Niger State overpowered Government Girls Secondary School Numan, Adamawa State. It was a balanced game until the last quarter when the Niger state girls broke away to take the game at 26 points to 16.

In the second game in the girls’ category, Idia College, Benin-City Edo State came from behind in the last quarter to beat the Western Conference champions, Yejide Grammar School of Ibadan, Oyo State by 19-17.
Speaking after the match, Philip Ojo Head Coach of Idia College said that their style of play gave them the edge over their opponents.

Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship.

According to him, “our very fast style of play makes us almost invincible to our opponents. We have a strong team. Hard work is also key to our success. So far, we are confident of achieving our aim, which is to emerge winners at the end of the championship.”

Meanwhile, Yejide girls forward Busayo Matthew said, her side lost to Edo because they could not cope with fast pace but boasted that they will surely bounce back from the defeat because it was an eye-opener.

In the boys category, St. Peter College Idah, Kogi State picked a valuable 45-43 points victory over Government Secondary School Barnawa, Kaduna State while Ilupeju Grammar School defeated St.Josephs College Nyimah, Benue state by 32-25 points

NESTLE MILO SECONDARY SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS: BEST TWELVE SCHOOLS TO VIE FOR HONOURS

The Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship, now in its 17th year, will climax with the Finals which will begin tomorrow, Monday and end on Saturday, June 6. Over 10,000 schools from across the country took part in the preliminaries which will now culminate in the finals at the indoor sports complex of the National Stadium, Lagos.

The schools that will feature in the finals of the boys category include, Government Secondary School Barnawa, Kaduna state, Augustine Seminary School Ezzamgbo, Ebonyi State, Saint Peter College Idah, Kogi State and Ilupeju Grammar School, Lagos State.

General Murtala College Yola, Adamawa State and St Joseph College Makurdi Benue State qualified as best losers from the Conference play offs.

Nestle presents the 17th Milo Basketball Championship

In the Girls category are Yejide Grammar School Ibadan Oyo State, Government Secondary School Bida, Niger State, Idia College Benin Edo State and Government Girls Secondary school Yola Adamawa State.
St Jude College Amarata Balyesa State and Government Secondary School Jogana Kano State also made the finals as best losers from the Conference play offs.

This year, outstanding players selected from all the participating schools would form an all-star team that would represent Nigeria at the world college basketball championship and other international competition to be decided by Nigeria Schools Sport Federation (NSSF). The best 50 players will also be invited to camp in August and will receive tutelage from a team of NBA coaches led by Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors.

Nestle PLC’s Category Manager, Beverages, Femi Akintola told reporters in Lagos that there will be lots of excitement for the players and spectators at this year’s finals where top class musician, Olamide and the Explicit Dance Group will perform live at intervals.

The 2015 edition also promises exciting innovations like online activation and more engagement with the kids on social media platforms. Already prizes are being won in stores across the country in the Slam To Win Promo as the brand tries to spread the ‘basketball fever’ to all consumers.

Coach of the The Ogun State addressing his wards during The Semi-final Of The 17Th Milo Basketball Championships Zonal Qualifiers

Two schools from Benue State won the 2014 Championships. Jesus College, Otukpo were the Boys Champions while Government Secondary School, Gboko won in the Girls category Femi Akintola says Nestle Milo tries to communicate, to the students, the great values of sport as a teacher through Determination, Discipline, Honesty, and Confidence.

According to him, “sports 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 sport. We will continue to provide them this platform”

Nestle Milo Schools Basketball Championship-Fiba Africa Zone 3 Targets Outstanding Players

As the stage is being set for the finals of the Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championships in Lagos, FIBA Africa Zone 3 the Basketball body controlling the zone sees the championship as a good platform for Nigeria’s budding talents to hit stardom.

The Administrative Secretary of FIBA Africa Zone 3 Joe Apu stated that the Nestle Milo Basketball Championships for Secondary Schools remains Nigeria’s flagship event for talent identification. “Some products of the Nestle Milo Championships have done the nation proud at international competitions’’. He recalled names like Mohammed Bukar now based in the United States and Canada based Edwin Jerry who were products of the championship.

Other national team players like Olumide Oyedeji, Anyebe Ujo and Nkechi Akashiele and others also had their foundation in the Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championships.

The FIBA Zone 3 Scribe, Joe Apu commends the Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball programme as very outstanding in the zone which has Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger and Liberia.

The qualifying teams will arrive in Lagos on the 1st of December 2014. The players’ accreditation starts on Tuesday 9am at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium Lagos while the championship starts with the Round Robin games at 1 o’clock in the afternoon.

Nestlé MILO Continues to Show Unwavering Commitment to Basketball

Nestlé MILO’s unwavering commitment to sports development comes to light again as the grand finale of the 16th edition of the Nestlé MILO Secondary Schools Basketball holds from 1st to 6th of December at the indoor sports complex of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Annually, the competition provides the opportunity for Nestlé MILO to reach thousands of secondary school students with the platform both to play basketball at its best as well as to learn livelong values that help to shape the youngsters to become the adults of their dreams.

These values include teamwork, determination, discipline, honesty and respect.

This year, nearly 100,000 students from 7,530 schools participated in the championship from the state preliminaries to the regional conferences across Nigeria.

Mr Dharnesh Gordhon, Managing Director, Nestle Nig. PLC, Mrs. Doja Ekeruche, Category Business Manager and Mrs Olabisi Joseph, Secretary, Nigeria School Sports Federation, at the draws ceremony for the 16th edition of the Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championships at Nestle PLC head office in Lagos.

The schools that will feature in the finale include

Dutse Model International School and Government Girls Secondary School, Gwawaran, both from Jigawa state,

St Augustine Seminary, Ezzamgbo of Ebonyi state;

Osadennis High School Asaba and West End Mixed Secondary School, Bayelsa State.

Others are St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Jesus College, Oturkpo,

Government Girls Secondary School Gboko and CAC Grammar School, Akure.

Henson Demonstration Group of Schools Benin, Ilupeju Grammar School, Lagos and Yejide Girls Secondary School, Ibadan complete the list of finalists.

According to the organisers, the top 50 camp will take place immediately after the Nestlé MILO Secondary School Basketball finals, from 7 – 10 December. The camp will be facilitated by a team of NBA coaches and will be led by the NBA Coach of Toronto Raptors Patrick Engelbretch.

Dr. Samuel Adenekan, Corporate Affairs Manager Nestle Nig. PLC, Mr. Dharnesh Gordhon Managing Director and Mrs Doja Ekeruche, Category Business Manager presenting the trophy to Mrs. Olabisi Joseph, Secretary NSSF and Mr. Lanre Balogun, Vice President, NCSF, at the draws ceremony for the 16th edition of the Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship at the Nestle PLC head office Lagos

Multiple award winning Nigeria artist Iyanya will be performing at this year’s edition of the games.

Commenting on the event, the Category Business Manager, Doja Ekeruche reaffirmed Nestlé’s unwavering commitment to the development of basketball and raising the quality of the game.

The winner at this year championship is expected to fly the nation’s flag at the World Schools Basketball Championship in Linigoes, France from 17th to 25th April 2015.