The ongoing Milo Basketball championship organised for children of primary school ages in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital is laudable given the need to develop sports at the grassroots.
The failure of Nigeria to excel in international sports competitions has consistently been blamed on lack of developmental/grassroots plans by the administrators.
For many years, the country has continued to parade athletes who have passed their prime and ordinarily would have quit the stage for younger and promising sportspersons if there are proper plans in place.
Over the years, Milo has been organising basketball clinics for teenagers and it is laudable that they have remained consistent in that path. It is even more commendable that Milo have looked the direction of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, this year for the basketball clinic.
The basketball clinic is particularly timely at a time many of our youths have continued to expend their energy on unproductive vices in the society. Many of those young bones who may have taken to crime, cultism and kidnapping among other social-vices should be encouraged to acquire skills in the game of basketball and other sporting events.
For about 20 years, the Nestle Milo Basketball Championship has remained the nation’s flagship grassroots competition which gives Nigerian youths the opportunity to showcase their skills in the sport.
Unlike the game of football which is dominated by the boys at the secondary schools level, Nestle Milo carefully chose the game of basketball to ensure both boys and girls get the same experience in the game and that more importantly, they get the right foundation for development.
Going forward, basketball development should not be left in the hands of Milo alone, the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF), need to seek more partners and sponsors for the game especially at the grassroots level.
With more sponsors and partners on board, there are likely to be more championships and clinics which inadvertently should translate to the discovery of several other Hakeem Olajuwons across the country.
At the moment, it is only in ‘A grade’ private schools in the country that the game of basketball is being encouraged. Most of our public schools and peewee private schools hardly have the space for basketball court despite being less burdensome and pocket friendly than football which remains the most preferred.
The Kwara Coordinator of Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Moshood Lasisi, will need to do more in ensuring other sports are given almost equal attention as football in our schools (both public and private).
This he can only achieve with support from the state Ministry of Youths and Sports and the state Ministry of Education. Also needed to make this a reality is the Kwara State chapter of the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) and Private Schools Proprietors in the state.
Sports is no doubt a great teacher and children’s participation help set the foundation for a solid future. The teenagers learn determination to succeed, discipline to persevere and many more life values by participating in sports. Hence there is the need to continue providing the kids such platform as the Milo Basketball Championship.
