Group photo of Government Secondary School, Gboko, Benue State, winners of the Girls’ Category at the 26th MILO Basketball Central Conference Finals.

The 26th edition of the MILO Basketball Championship continued with the successful conclusion of the Central Conference regional finals, where Government Secondary School, Gboko, Benue State, and Father O’Connell Science College, Niger State, emerged champions in the girls’ and boys’ categories respectively. For 26 years, MILO has remained committed to youth development through school sports, using basketball as a platform to inspire discipline, teamwork, resilience and confidence among young people. Through the championship, MILO continues to create opportunities for students across Nigeria to discover their potential, build character and pursue excellence both on and off the court. This year, over 13,000 schools applied to participate in the MILO Basketball Championship nationwide, reflecting the continued growth and relevance of the platform. At the Central Conference regional finals, seven schools competed for a place at the National Finals. Government Secondary School, Gboko, won the girls’ category with a 63–31 victory over Nigeria Defence Academy Staff Secondary School, Kaduna State, while Father O’Connell Science College, Niger State, won the boys’ category after a hard-fought 56–53 win over Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa Life Camp, Abuja. The opening remarks were delivered by the MILO Sports Marketing Manager, Mrs. Funmilola Oyewole, on behalf of the Category Manager, Mr. Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah. In his address, Mr. Tweneboah-Koduah highlighted the role of the championship in inspiring young athletes to pursue excellence beyond the game. “Every game played at this championship reminds us of the courage, determination, and promise that exist in our young people. These students are not only competing for medals; they are learning to believe in themselves, to work as a team, and to rise above challenges. At MILO, we are proud to continue supporting a platform that helps young people turn their passion into purpose,” he said. Friday Victoria Ada of Government Secondary School, Gboko, Benue State, was named the Most Valuable Player in the girls’ category. Wearing jersey number 13, she contributed 25 points out of her team’s 63 points, playing a key role in their victory. In the boys’ category, Idris Mohamed of Father O’Connell College, Niger State, was named Most Valuable Player. Wearing jersey number 5, he delivered an impressive performance, contributing 20 points out of his team’s 56 points. The Central Conference is the second of four regional conferences in the 26th MILO Basketball Championship. With the Savannah and Central Conferences now concluded, the championship will move to the Atlantic Conference, where nine schools each in the boys’ and girls’ categories will compete for a chance to join the race to the National Finals. At the Savannah Conference, Government Secondary School, Zing, Taraba State, emerged champions in the girls’ category, while Family Support Programme School, Katsina State, won the boys’ category. Together with the Central Conference champions, they form part of the growing list of regional winners heading towards the grand finale. The event was attended by dignitaries from FCT ministries, as well as representatives from NSSF, NCSF and FIBA. The winning teams from the Central Conference will advance to the National Finals, scheduled to hold in Lagos on July 2, 2026, where they will compete with other regional champions for the ultimate title.

gSports viewing has quietly changed its personality in Nigeria. It is no longer just about sitting in front of a TV and following a match from start to finish. It has become something more layered, constant, and social, stretching across both physical spaces and digital platforms.From viewing centres and barbershops to X feeds and WhatsApp groups, football is no longer watched in isolation; it is experienced collectively, even when people are not in the same room. Platforms like GOtv have also supported this shift by making football more accessible and consistent, helping fans stay plugged into live matches and highlights without missing key moments. But beyond access, what has truly changed is the culture around the game and how conversations now live far beyond the screen.There was a time when football talk had a clear beginning and end. You watched the match at a viewing centre, a neighbour’s house, or wherever there was a working screen, and that was where everything happened. The arguments, celebrations, and banter stayed in that space. Once you left, the conversation faded until the next match day. Football was social, but it was also limited by time and place.Then social media changed everything. What used to stay in viewing centres now spills across the entire day. A goal is no longer just a moment in a match; it becomes a tweet, a meme, a hot take, and a debate within seconds. Rival fans respond instantly, stats are shared, and the same incident is argued from multiple angles across different platforms. Football didn’t just become more visible; it became continuous.Viewing centres used to be the main social hub for football culture. That was where strangers bonded, arguments felt personal, and every match had a shared energy. Today, that barrier is gone. Football is no longer tied to a location. Someone is watching highlights in traffic, another is following updates at work, while others are debating online while the match is still ongoing. The reaction now runs alongside the game itself.This shift has changed the emotional rhythm of football. The conversation no longer ends at full-time. It continues through post-match analysis, memes, tactical debates, and recycled clips that keep rivalries alive long after the final whistle. Football has become less of a fixed event and more of a constant social stream.Ultimately, the desire behind watching football has not changed. People still want to celebrate, argue, and feel part of something bigger. What has changed is where that experience happens. It is no longer confined to one screen or one space; it now exists everywhere at once.That is why sports viewing today feels more social than ever, not because the matches have changed, but because the conversation around them never stops.To make football’s biggest moment even more accessible, MultiChoice has introduced special World Cup bundle offers across DStv and GOtv ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada. From June 1, 2026, new customers can get a full decoder kit plus a one-month subscription for ₦15,000 on either platform. The offer is aimed at helping more Nigerians stay connected to the tournament, which will feature 48 teams and 104 matches. Through SuperSport, viewers will enjoy full live coverage of all games, dedicated 24-hour World Cup channels, expert analysis, highlights, multilingual commentary including pidgin, and flexible viewing options on TV and streaming so fans don’t miss any moment of the action.

DStv and GOtv subscribers are set for another packed week of European football as the Open View window begins today, following a dramatic close to the major league seasons across Europe.Over the weekend, more access to selected final-day fixtures across top European leagues was already made available, including Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, where the newly crowned Premier League champions lifted the trophy. Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke sealed the win before Jean-Philippe Mateta pulled one back late for Palace.The focus now shifts to two European finals, beginning with the UEFA Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. Palace will be looking to end their poor league season with European silverware and qualification for Europe, while Rayo Vallecano will attempt to cap their own campaign seeking its first-ever continental trophy.As part of the Open View window, DStv Yanga customers can watch SS Football Finals on DStv Channel 202 and SS Football on DStv Channel 205, while GOtv Jolli customers will enjoy similar access, including the Champions League final live on SS Football on GOtv Channel 61.Arsenal Chasing Historic FinishSaturday brings the bigger test for Arsenal, who face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final in Budapest. Arsenal enter the final with the chance to complete a historic league and Champions League double after winning their first Premier League title in 22 years. Mikel Arteta’s side will also hope to carry the momentum from their trophy-lifting victory at Selhurst Park into the final.The Gunners have received a boost with Mikel Merino back in contention after returning from injury against Palace, but there are concerns over Madueke, who was forced off in the second half. Arsenal are also monitoring Jurrien Timber, who has been out for more than two months with a groin injury but remains hopeful of returning.PSG also have concerns of their own, with Achraf Hakimi a doubt and Ousmane Dembélé working to be fully fit after a recent lay-off. The French side are aiming to become the first club since Real Madrid, who won three straight titles from 2016 to 2018, to successfully retain the Champions League.Live studio build-up begins at 3:30 p.m., with kick-off set for 5:00 p.m.on SS Football Finals and SS Football.