Taraba Girls, Katsina Boys Clinch Milo Savannah Conference Titles

Girls from Government Secondary School Zing, Taraba State, and boys from Family Support Programme, Katsina, have clinched the Savannah Conference titles at the 26th Milo Basketball Championship.

The victories, recorded at the Sanni Abacha Indoor Sports Hall in Kano, secured both teams’ qualification for the National Finals, in Lagos.

The girls’ final delivered an intense showdown between Government Secondary School Zing and Government Girls College Unity School, Bauchi. Zing held their nerve to secure a 53–43 victory, powered by the brilliance of Happy Sylvester, who scored an astonishing 38 points to earn the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

In the boys’ category, Family Support Programme, Katsina edged Government Secondary School Numan, Adamawa State, in a nail‑biting contest that ended 64–63. Friday Emmanuel proved decisive for Katsina, contributing 22 points and claiming the MVP title.

Speaking after the finals, Mr. Gilbert Tweneboah, Category Manager for Milo, reflected on the growth of the championship: “Since 1999, what started with fewer than 500 schools has grown into a national movement, now engaging over 12,000 schools annually.

This growth is not by chance.

It’s a result of dedication, consistency, and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to discover their strength and reach their full potential.”

The event drew dignitaries from the Kano State Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth and Sports, media representatives, Olympic Commission officials, and partners including NSSF, NCSF, and FIBA.

With the Savannah Conference concluded, the spotlight now shifts to the Central Region Finals at the Indoor Sports Hall of Mogadishu Barracks, where teams will battle for a chance to reach the National Finals in Lagos this July.