The students of Government Secondary School in Karu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have won the 2023 Milo Secondary School Basketball Competition Ad, after defeating 34 other schools from eight states in the preliminary stages.
The victory places the FCT ahead of the states, as the male and female students of GSS Karu came first and second position in the boys and girls Basketball Secondary School championships respectively.
The FCT Education Secretariat director of Sports, Hashimu Adamu, who presented the students to the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, said the students distinguished themselves in the competition, with 15 years old Joshua Augustine emerging as the overall best in the competition.
Adamu said the students performed exceptionally well in the national finals, despite participating in the championship as the best loser, saying that they changed the tide and emerged first and second championships and now qualified to represent Nigeria in the World School Competition in China, later in the year.
The FCTA permanent secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, said the students victory gives credence to the fact that the FCTA does not just groom students in academics alone, but in other fields to enable them excel in life.
Adesola, while also emphasising the need to catch students young, pointed out that sports contribute significantly to student development.
“This victory gives credence to the fact that here in the FCT, we do not just teach students, but groom them to excel in various fields so they can become championships and icons in their fields of endeavour.
“As we all know, sport contributes significantly to student development. The saying that all work and no play has changed because it is sports is no longer “play” but a reward system that comes with fame and monetary reward. That is why we must start early.
“It is instructive that of the 35 schools that participated, students of Government Secondary School Karu, came tops and this tells you that the school is one to beat in sporting competitions,” he said.
The permanent secretary also assured the students of the administration’s support with a pledge to make resources available for them to prepare for the global tournament in China.
The boys were rewarded with a cash prize of N1m, a trophy, medals, and training shoes for each player, and packs of Milo beverages, while the girls got a cash prize of N750,000, a trophy, medals, and training shoes for each player, packs of Milo beverages.
