Government Secondary School Zing in Taraba State and Family Support Programme School in Katsina State have emerged winners of the Savannah Conference regional finals at the opening of the 26th edition of the Milo Basketball Championship in Kano.

The tournament began at the Sanni Abacha Indoor Sports Hall, bringing together secondary school teams from across northern Nigeria in one of the country’s biggest grassroots basketball competitions.

Taraba Girls’ Team Clinches Title

The girls’ final produced a competitive encounter between Government Secondary School Zing and Government Girls College Unity School, Bauchi.

Zing eventually secured a 53–43 victory after a strong second-half performance.

Happy Sylvester, who scored 38 points, was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the girls’ category following her standout display.

“Since 1999, what started with fewer than 500 schools has grown into a national movement,” organisers said during the opening ceremony.

Katsina Boys Edge Adamawa in Thriller

In the boys’ final, Family Support Programme School, Katsina defeated Government Secondary School Numan of Adamawa State by a narrow 64–63 margin in one of the tournament’s closest finals in recent years.

Friday Emmanuel of Katsina was named MVP after contributing 22 points to help his side secure victory.

The tightly contested game drew loud reactions from spectators inside the indoor sports hall, highlighting growing interest in school basketball competitions across Nigeria.

Why the Championship Matters

The Milo Basketball Championship has become one of Nigeria’s longest-running grassroots sports development programmes, providing opportunities for young athletes to compete nationally and attract scouting attention.

Organisers say participation has expanded significantly over the years, with more than 12,000 schools now involved annually.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Mrs Opeyemi Jaiyeola, Category Development Manager, delivered remarks on behalf of Category Manager Mr Gilbert Tweneboah.

“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,” he said.

Sports development experts say school competitions remain critical to talent discovery in Nigeria, especially as basketball continues to gain popularity among young Nigerians.

Government and Sports Officials Attend Event

The regional finals attracted officials from the Kano State Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, media organisations, Olympic Commission representatives, and basketball stakeholders.

Representatives of the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), Nigeria Customs Service Federation (NCSF), and the International Basketball Federation, FIBA, were also present at the event.

Observers say the strong institutional presence reflects increasing public and private sector interest in youth sports development.

What Happens Next?

Attention now shifts to the Central Region Finals, scheduled to take place at the Indoor Sports Hall of Mogadishu Barracks.

Winning teams from the regional stages will qualify for the national finals set to hold in Lagos in July.

The national championship is expected to feature top-performing secondary school teams from across Nigeria competing for the national title.

The Nigeria Police Force has formally concluded the 15th Biennial Police Games (BIPOGA) “Asaba 2026” at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.

Force Headquarters emerged overall champion, with Zone 2 Lagos and Zone 9 placing second and third respectively.

The week-long sporting event brought together commands and formations from across the country, blending athletics with messages about discipline and operational readiness.

Why it matters

Police authorities say the games go beyond medals.

They argue that physical fitness and teamwork directly influence operational performance, especially at a time when public scrutiny of policing standards remains high.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, described the tournament as “a defining institutional moment where competition revealed character.”

He said what began as a convergence of Commands and Formations had matured into “a powerful demonstration of unity, resilience, and shared purpose.”

According to him, the theme “Beyond the Badge: Excellence in Action” was visible throughout the competition, reflected in mutual respect among participants.

He added that “the physical discipline of sports directly translates to operational readiness and better service delivery.”

Ceremony and highlights

The closing ceremony featured football finals, a frisbee demonstration, tug-of-war finals, and 4×100 metre relay races.

There were also invitational events involving sister security agencies, alongside a closing concert.

Declaring the games closed, Delta State’s Deputy Governor, Monday John Onyeme, commended the police for what he called “discipline, dignity, and dedication beyond the badge.”

He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to sports development as a tool for unity, youth engagement, and national progress.

What’s next?

Police authorities say the unity and resilience displayed in Asaba will be carried into day-to-day policing duties nationwide.

Whether that translates into measurable improvements in public trust remains to be seen.

Lagos STL have won the Majekodunmi Cup at the 2026 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament, defeating Shoreline/A1 10–7 in a dramatic final at the historic Lagos Polo Club.

The match, decided by a late goal, capped a dominant campaign for STL at one of Africa’s oldest and most prestigious polo events.

Headline sponsor, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) used the occasion to reaffirm its commitment to sports development and youth engagement across Nigeria and the continent.

The tournament ran from 27 January to 15 February and attracted local and international teams, corporate leaders and thousands of spectators.

Why It Matters

Polo remains one of Nigeria’s most visible elite sports, blending heritage, business networking and international participation.

Founded in 1904, the Lagos Polo Club is regarded as one of Africa’s most storied sporting institutions.

What GTCO Said

GTCO’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje, said the bank’s sponsorship goes beyond branding.

“This tournament celebrates not only the noble sport of polo but the values we hold dear, the teamwork, discipline, fair play, and excellence. Beyond the field, it showcases Nigeria and Africa to a global audience, reinforcing the continent’s place on the world stage. Our longstanding sponsorship reflects our conviction that sport can amplify opportunity, foster connections, and deliver world-class experiences.”

GTCO operates across Africa and the United Kingdom, providing banking, payments, funds management and pension services.

Lagos STL’s Dominant Run

Lagos STL’s victory in the Majekodunmi Cup adds to an impressive list of titles secured during the tournament.

The team also won the Independence Cup, Dapo Ojora Cup, Owen Cup and the Argentine Ambassador’s Cup.

Team captain Yasin Amusan, who was named Most Valuable Player of the Majekodunmi Cup final, credited teamwork for the success.

He described the win as “a testament to preparation and belief” and thanked supporters for their energy throughout the competition.

Shoreline/A1, runners-up in both the Majekodunmi and Independence Cups, earlier claimed the Oba of Lagos Cup.

Other standout performances included Lagos Art Hotel’s Chapel Hill Denham Open Cup triumph and Kano Golden Alchemy’s victory in the Sani Dangote Memorial Cup.

What’s Next

Organisers say preparations for the 2027 edition will begin later this year, with expectations of even stronger international participation.

For GTCO, the focus appears to remain on using sport as a vehicle for community development and global positioning.