Real estate mogul and Chairman, Esthington Group of Companies, Engnr Darlington Ugota, has unveiled a new football club, 'Esthington FC', in Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria.
Unveiling the new football club, Dr Ugota emphasized that the essence is to raise talented young players that can complete and feature in the world football arena.
He also revealed plans to establish sports academy and build a stadium in Ezza South Local Government Area where the young talents will be trained in professional football.
Engr Ugota stated these during the final match of the 2024 Darlington Ugota Unity cup held at onueke township stadium in Ezza South Local Government Area of the state.
The final match saw the Green Revolution FC of Onueke lifting the cup with prize of 2million Naira in the senior category while Bombers of Amudo FC emerged as the winners of the junior categories, respectively.
Green Revolution FC thrashed the Azuebonyi FC with a lone goal, while the bombers of Amudo thrashed the Flying Pigeon of Idembia.
The grand finale of the event, attracted the presence of the state Governor, Francis Nwifuru, and a host of others.
Hon. Richard Idike, the commissioner for youth and sports development in the state, while representing Nwifuru, commended the initiator of the competition for investing in his people.
He reiterated the state's commitments to promoting sports activities in the state as a means to create employment opportunities and generate revenues for both players and investors.
"To us, sports used to be just for fun, but now we have realized that it's financially attractive; that is why today we have established the Abakaliki football club, and it is sponsored by the state.
"All the financial requirements for the club activities for the year have been approved by the state, and this is to demonstrate that the current government is committed to promoting sports in the state." Nwifuru said.
Earlier on, Dr. Ugota had stated that his intention for the football tournament is to observe the performance of players in order to help develop their talents and make them export football stars through the Estington Football Academy, which was unveiled at the close of events.
"I want to assure you that we are not ready to leave anyone halfway, we have selected some persons who have displayed very well, and we are going to unveil our football academy, and those who have been selected would be automatically be placed on scholarship in the academy" Dr Ugota assured.
Speaking on the prospects of the Estington football academy, he expressed optimism that it would go as far as to be able to produce superstars at the grassroots level while reassuring his earlier determination to bring his investments home to develop his people.
"We are starting the academy from our local government level, which is Ezza South, then we move to Abakaliki, the state capital, then across the country." He added
Meanwhile, the chairman of the local organizing committee, Barrister Ifeanyi Nworie, has said the essence of the unity cup, which is aimed at uniting the people irrespective of political affiliation, cannot be overemphasized.
While congratulating the winners, he advised the youths to take advantage of the Estington football academy and improve their lives.
Eyewitness reports that the winners of the senior cadre, the Green Revolution FC, took home the grand prize of 2 million naira, while the 1st and 2nd runners-up made home with the sum of 1.5 and 1 million naira, respectively.
Also in the junior category, the
Bombers of Amudo FC was awarded the sum of 700,000, while the 1st and 2nd runners-up were awarded the sums of 500,000 and 300,000, naira respectively.
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