Students of Government Secondary School Karu, from the Nigerian capital City Abuja, have emerged winners of the 2023 Milo Secondary School Basketball Competition after defeating 34 other schools in the preliminary stages.
The victory places the Federal Capital Territory ahead of eight other 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 Director of Sports, Education Secretariat, Hashimu Adamu, who presented the students to the Permanent Secretary said the students distinguished themselves in the competition, with 15 years old Joshua Augustine emerging as the overall best in the competition.
He said the students performed exceptionally well in the national finals despite participating in the championship as the best loser, “they changed the tide and emerged first and second in the boys and girls championships and now qualify to represent Nigeria in the World School Competition in China, later in the year.”
Responding, the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, said the student’s victory gives credence to the fact that the FCTA doesn’t 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 don’t 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.”
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 an N1million, 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.
The highlight of the event was the decoration of the Permanent Secretary with the medal of Champions on behalf of the administration.
Dominica Nwabufo
