President, Federation of the International Basketball Association, FIBA, Africa Zone 3, Colonel Sam Amedu (retired), has praised the organizers of the annual School Basketball Championship for their contribution to the growth of the game, saying the competition has salvaged the sport from going into extinction in the country,

The President made this statement recently shortly after the draws ceremony for the 24th National MILO Basketball Championship, scheduled to tip off tomorrow till on June 22nd to 28th at the National Stadium in Surulere.

On his part, Managing Director of the food drink company, sponsors of the competition, Mr. Wassim El-Husseini, represented by the country’s commercial director, Boladale Odunlami, expressed delight in providing a platform for young ones to showcase their talents.

The competition which will witness Father O’Connell Science College, Bishop Dimieari Grammar School, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria Secondary School in Cross River State in Group A in the male category.

Other teams in the male category Group B were Ijaiye Housing Estate Senior Grammar Schools, Lagos; Rumfa College, Kano and Government Day Secondary School, Gombe.

In the female category, Group A included defending champions Topfield College Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos State; Dom Domigos College, Delta State and Queen Amina College, Kaduna, while Group B comprises Government Secondary School, FCT Abuja; Zarumai Model School, Minna, Niger State, and new entrant into the competition, Onireke High School, Oyo State.