NGR - 600 kids get MILO tutorial in Kaduna

KADUNA (Milo Future Clinic) - The Kaduna leg of the 13th Nestle MILO future clinic ended last Saturday at the sports hall of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, Kaduna State
with over 600 kids in attendance.

In a well attended closing ceremony which was witnessed by parents who were given some lessons on how to make their wards continue in the spirit of the clinic, the sponsors, Nestle Nigeria Plc promised to continue with the sponsorship of the annual which started in 1994.

According to the Group Product Manager of the food drink giant, Banji Okubote who was represented by the District Sales manager of the basketball friendly company, Olukayode Dele challenge the kids to be more dedicated in their chosen career.

The sponsors’ representative expressed happiness with the turnout and punctuality of the kids at the Kaduna center of the clinic which has now moved to Enugu before finally berthing in Lagos where it will be staged in three different venues simultaneously.

“With the level of proficiency they have demonstrated here today (Saturday), I feel more convinced that the future of basketball in Nigeria is very bright. Milo’s interest in the target group is as old as the product in Nigeria and it is anchored on the simple fact that today’s kids
are future CHAMPIONS we look up to. As the old African saying goes, “you cannot learn to be left handed at old age”. The same holds true for sports, talents must be discovered early and nurtured right from the tender age.

“We, today’s people owe it a duty to ensure that the future of basketball is better than it is today, which have informed the decision to continue with the sponsorship of this skill acquisition programme since 1994 and has also gone a long way to explain why we have formidable
National Basketball teams of any age category (male and female categories) doing great at international competitions. Our goal is that in the nearest future, Nigeria should be in a comfortable position to produce en-mass the likes of Hakeem Oajuwon, Olumide Oyedeji, Solomon Alabi, Orseer
Ikyaator, Ibrahim Adamu-Yusuf just to mention but few. We are confident this is not a tall dream considering the high level of potentials in this country.

“It has been greatly encouraging watching the kids learn how to play, the will and desire to learn are entrenched deeply on their faces, the enthusiasm they have shown, their attendance, punctuality and discipline at training sessions have been heart-warming.

“For you the participants, the MILO message is for you to keep training and putting into practice all you have learnt in this clinic and keep drinking MILO, as you and Nestle MILO are the winning team. As for the parents, guardians and others that attended the Parent Forum session
last Friday, put into practice what you have learnt from the meeting, as your family is as important to Nestle MILO as it is to you.

Okubote also expressed the sponsor’s gratitude to the president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Elder Jacob Gyang Buba, other members of the federation and the coaches at the weeklong clinic for the success of this clinic.

By Olusegun Ikuesan
FIBA Correspondent in Nigeria