St. Jude Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa State, and King Amakree Academy, Rivers State, have emerged champions of the Atlantic Conference of the 26th MILO Basketball Championship, earning qualification for the national finals of the competition.
The conference, which served as the third regional qualifying stage of the championship, was held at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State, and featured top school teams from across the South-South region competing for places at the national finals.
In the girls’ category, St. Jude Girls Secondary School defeated Urhobo College 46-25 to claim the conference title, while King Amakree Academy edged Urhobo College 47-44 in a closely contested boys’ final.
The victories secured both schools’ places at the 26th MILO Basketball Championship National Finals scheduled to hold on July 2 at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The championship, now in its 26th year, continues to serve as one of Nigeria’s leading school sports development platforms. Organisers disclosed that more than 13,000 schools across the country registered to participate in this year’s edition, underscoring the growing popularity of the tournament.
A total of nine schools each competed in the boys’ and girls’ categories at the Atlantic Conference, with only the champions progressing to the national finals.
Speaking at the event, Category Manager for MILO at Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, said the championship remained an important platform for nurturing young talents and instilling values that extend beyond sports.
“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.
“At MILO, we are proud to continue supporting a platform that helps young people turn their passion into purpose.”
Individual performances also stood out during the competition.
In the girls’ category, Anthonia Obokawe of St. Jude Girls Secondary School was named the Most Valuable Player after contributing 12 points to her team’s winning total of 46 points in the final.
For the boys, Edmund Hart of King Amakree Academy earned the Most Valuable Player award following an outstanding display that saw him score 22 points in his team’s narrow victory.
The event attracted officials from the Delta State Ministry of Education as well as representatives of the Nigeria School Sport Federation, the Nigeria School Sports Council and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
With the conclusion of the Atlantic Conference, attention now shifts to the Western Conference, the final regional qualifying stage before the national finals.
So far, Government Secondary School, Zing, Taraba State, and Family Support Programme Secondary School, Katsina State, emerged champions of the Savannah Conference in the girls’ and boys’ categories respectively. At the Central Conference, Government Secondary School, Gboko, Benue State, won the girls’ title, while Father O’Connell Science College, Niger State, claimed the boys’ crown.
The winners from the Western Conference will join the already qualified teams from the Savannah, Central and Atlantic conferences at the national finals in Lagos, where the battle for the 2026 MILO Basketball Championship title will be decided.