Unveiling the new football club, Ugota said it was aimed at raising talented young players who could compete and feature in the world football arena.
He also revealed plans to establish a Sports Academy and build a stadium in Ezza South Local Government Area where the young talents would be trained in professional football.
Ugota spoke 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 grand finale of the event attracted the presence of the state Governor, Francis Nwifuru, and a host of other dignitaries.
Hon. Richard Idike, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, who represented Nwifuru, commended the initiator of the competition for investing in his people.
He reiterated the state's government commitment towards promoting sports activities in the state to create employment opportunities for the Youths 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, which 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, Engr Ugota had stated that his intention for organizing the football tournament was to observe the performance of players to help develop their talents and export football stars through the Esthington 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 will be automatically placed on scholarship in the academy," Dr Ugota assured.
Speaking on the prospects of the Esthington 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 importance of the unity cup, which is aimed at uniting the people irrespective of political affiliation, cannot be overemphasized.
He congratulated the winners and advised the youths to take advantage of the Esthington football academy and advance their footballing careers.
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.
