By Ado Salisu
The President of the Nigerian School Sports Federation (NSSF), Mrs. Olabisi Joseph, has urged participants in this year’s Inter-Secondary Schools Basketball Championship, tagged the Savannah Conference, to exhibit sportsmanship and fair play throughout the tournament.
Mrs. Joseph, who spoke through the Federation’s Secretary-General, Dr. Oba Funsho Usman, gave the charge during a pre-match technical meeting held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Sani Abacha Sports Complex, Kofar Mata, Kano.
She explained that the competition, sponsored by Nestlé Milo for almost three decades, has produced several basketball stars currently playing for clubs in Europe and other parts of the world.
According to her, the technical meeting and screening exercise for both boys and girls were aimed at ensuring the eligibility of all participating players.
The NSSF president also expressed appreciation to state governments for their continued support toward the growth of basketball across the country. She assured that the federation would remain committed to the promotion and development of sports, while also encouraging academic excellence among students.
In the opening matches, Ahmadiyya College, Kano, defeated Government Girls Secondary School, Garki, Jigawa State, 31–04 points, while Government Girls Secondary School, Yola, Adamawa State, lost 09–15 points to Government Girls College, Bauchi, in the girls’ category.
More matches in both the boys’ and girls’ categories will continue today, Friday, at the same venue.
