ASABA – St. Augustine Seminary, Ezzamgbo, Abakalaki, Ebonyi, Tuesday emerged the male champions of the Atlantic Conference of the 16th Nestle Milo Secondary School Basketball championships.
Also, West End Mixed Secondary School, Asaba, Delta, became the female champions of the competition and both will represent the conference at the national finals in August.
St. Augustine defeated Osadenis Mixed Secondary School of Asaba, Delta 36-27 in the final decided at the Asaba Township Stadium.
West End in the female category defeated St Jude Girls Secondary School of Amarata, Bayelsa 27-21.
The male event third place trophy went to Winners Academy of Bayelsa who defeated Marist Comprehensive Juniorate of Uturu, Abia 28-20.
The female event third place trophy was won by Ritman College, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa-Ibom 22-20.
Rev. Fr. Donatus Ofuluozor, the Coach of St. Augustine Seminary, attributed his team’s victory in the male category to hard work and determination.
“I knew my boys would win the competition and that was the reason I decided to reserve my best players for the last quarter of the match,’’ Ofuluozor said.
Head Coach of Team Delta, Kenneth Mfon, also attributed his team’s victory in the female category to hard work and discipline.
“These girls trained under the sun and rain to achieve this feat,’’ Mfon said.
The Brand Manager Nestle Milo, Mr Onome Adagbra, said that Nestle was committed to grassroots sport development, including the development of sporting talents.
Asagbra said that preliminaries were held in every states of the federation including the FCT and that the state champions had proceeded to compete in the conference.
“After the game here in Asaba, we will be at Akure for the Central Conference and finally conclude in Ibadan for the Western Conference,’’ Asagbra said.
According to him, winners at the conference will then be hosted at the National Stadium, Lagos for the grand finale in August. ( NAN)
