School sports have been identified as a means that can help curb social wrongdoings and vices in the society.

          Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu made this known while speaking at the annual 23rd Nestle Milo Basketball competition at Alake Sports Center, Abeokuta, saying the energy of young ones should be channelled into positive activities such as sports, for better productivity.

          Arigbabu said sports could be used to attain greater success, noting that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration had been a great lover of quality education and sports, which he noted had created enabling opportunities for learners to thrive in both sports and academic competitions.

          According to him, “sports have taken a number of people to greater heights and it can also be used to curb the social menace among our youths because the energy they use in negative tendencies can be channelled to sporting activities for better productivity.

          He assured that government would continue to invest in sport while  encouraging the young ones to equally be actively involved, urging learners to combine academic excellence with good sportsmanship to achieve greater heights in life.

          In her remark, the representative of Nestle Plc and National Competition Sports Foundation (NCSF), Mrs. Mary Thomas stated that the company introduced basketball competition in 1999, revealing that the platform had given a lot of young people an opportunity to compete all over the country, as two finalist schools would represent the State at the National level.

          In their submissions, representatives of the winning teams, Miss Mary Obinna from Brainest College, Ibafo and Master Iheaka Ifeanyi-Jordan of Adedokun International School, Ifo commended the initiative of the organisation and the effort of the State Government to promote sports alongside education,  appealing for more support, to allow the young ones exhibit their skills and abilities for further development.

          162 schools across the State participated in the competition, while four schools played it out at the finals, as Adedokun International School emerging the winner in the male category, with 40 points to 9 points over their opponents from African Church Grammar School, Abeokuta, while Brainest College, Ibafo beats Beraville College, Ota with 19-17 points to emerge winner in the female category.