Ijaiye Housing Estate Grammar School, Lagos, and Dom Domigos College, Delta State, have emerged as champions of the male and female 24th National Schools Basketball Championship, respectively.

The teams emerged victorious in a fiercely contested competitions, featuring 12 talented teams divided into four pools in both the male and female categories, setting the stage for a thrilling competition that showcased the best of Nigerian youth basketball talent.

Ijaiye Housing Estate Grammar School, in a tension-soaked final, which took place at the indoor sports hall of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, was able to defeat Father O’Connell Science College, Niger State, in an extra time after the match ended in 38-38 point at the fourth quarter of the match to finally hedge out the boys from Niger State in 49-45 point.

In the female category, Don Domigos College beat the 23rd champions, Topfield College, Ajegunle, Lagos, by 44-38 to emerge as national champions.

Delta, having started with a nine points lead in the first quarter, collapsed in the 3rd round with Topfield College leading with 31-24 points. However, at the end of the fourth quarter, Dom Domigos emerged victorious.

The winning teams and players were ecstatic about their victories, attributing their success to hard work, teamwork, and perseverance.

Don Domigos College player, Ayaba Emanuela, said, “It feels really good to be the champions of the 24th edition of the championship.

“We never gave up and put on to fight despite trailing. Our coach told us before the beginning of the match that Topfield College was tough to play against and he kept telling us at every break not to give up and fight till the final whistle and that we did.”

Most Valuable Player of the tournament in the boys category, Ijaiye Housing Estate School, Folorunso Damiloa, said, “It feels great to have won the MVP of the competition. This was only possible with God and teammates. This is the first we are coming into the competition and as you see, the game was an intense one we almost gave up but the coach kept telling us not to give up and here we are with the trophy.”

The Managing Director of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Mr Wassim El-Husseini, commended the participants for embodying the spirit of competition and congratulated everyone on their journey.

He said, “The participants embodied a spirit of competition that this championship fosters. To every player, coach, and supporter, your journey here is a testament to your hard work and commitment. I congratulate everyone.

“At Nestlé, we are deeply committed to our values. We believe in a culture of inclusivity, culture of collaboration and excellence. Our passion constantly drives us to innovate and create a positive impact in the lives of young athletes through initiatives like the Milo Basketball Championship as we strive to empower the next generation as we instil value perseverance, endurance and teamwork,” he said.

The championship also featured a special category for young people with disabilities, highlighting its commitment to diversity and inclusion.