Funmilola Oyewole, the Sports Marketing Manager for Milo Beverages, discussed the growth and inclusivity of the national Milo Schools Basketball Championship.
Speaking in an interview at the Basketball Hall of the National Stadium Surulere where the finals of the competition took place on Friday, Oyewole emphasized that this significant grassroots event has successfully brought together participants from across Nigeria.
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The event reaches all 36 states and the FCT, involving a major effort that begins with state preliminaries, progresses to state finals and culminates in regional conferences.
The finalists from these stages then compete in the national finals.
“The championship is a national event, reaching all 36 states and the FCT,” Oyewole explained. “It’s a major effort, starting with state preliminaries, moving to state finals, and then progressing to regional conferences.
The finalists from these stages come together for the national finals, which we are witnessing today.”
A notable aspect of this year’s championship is the inclusion of children with disabilities for the second consecutive year.
Oyewole noted the strong commitment to increasing the participation of kids with special abilities.
This year and last year, demonstrations were conducted to showcase their talents, with plans to provide more opportunities for these children to participate in sports in the future, showcasing their abilities within their limitations.
Looking ahead, Oyewole expressed excitement about the upcoming 25th edition of the Milo Schools Basketball Championship.
“Next year marks the jubilee edition, celebrating 25 years of promoting grassroots sports in Nigeria.
We’re already exploring partnerships to expand our efforts. It’s going to be a landmark event with surprises in store.”
Oyewole also noted that this year’s edition has been highly competitive and filled with unexpected outcomes.
Teams that had never reached the regional finals made significant progress this year, showcasing the talent and dedication of the young athletes participating.
The national finals today stand as a testament to their hard work and the championship’s impact on grassroots sports development and inclusion.
As the Milo Schools Basketball Championship continues to grow, its impact on grassroots sports development and inclusion remains significant, fostering a love for basketball and providing opportunities for young athletes across Nigeria.
