Estintton Group establishes Sports Academy in Ebonyi

A business magnate born in Ebonyi, Darlington Ugota Weekend has set up a sports academy at Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.

Ugota revealed a basketball court built on the State University Campus.

In December 2024 he had reported his football club, Usithington Academy in the state.

By presenting the sports academy, the governor Francis Nwifuru of the state of Ebonyi represented by the deputy, Princess Patricia Obila praised the real estate sector and sports enthusiasts, Darlington Ugota for the construction of a modern basketball academy in the Ebonyi State University (Ebsu).

He urged students to use the academy to develop their talents and excel in sports.

“You really contributed to the development of our dear state, you are an icon of our state. What you have built here, you have given people more to people, you have given more hope to those who have no direction and will be fine with you.

“I am assuring you that when we arrive abroad, we must have raised the hidden talents we have in this university. Not only in this university, every person of Ebonyi will have something here. And remember, everything we do, we remain the best.

“For students, this is your project, it will help you develop that ability in you, don’t take it for granted,” he said.

The Ugota, for its part, described the basketball academy as a symbol of vision, hope and strengthening of young people.

He said: “For me, I believe in experience and conviction that sport is not just a game, it is a platform for unity, for the discipline, for leadership and, of course for transport.

“We also understand that sport connects the bridge to the destinies and we believe that through this platform here we will be able to collect many superstars.

“I also want to say that this court here is not only worthy of seeing and all this, represents the vision of enhancing and investing in the hidden talents of our young people.

“This is a platform that we believe, by special grace of God, will contribute to recording the state of Ebonyi also in the global map. Ebonyi State University has produced great minds throughout the discipline and we know by adding this sporting structure in this academic environment, it will help open a new chapter in this school environment in which our academic excellence will meet sporting excellence”, said.

Deputy Chancellor of the University, Professor Michael Woke, also praised Ugota for the Basketball Academy in the institution describing it as before its kind at the University.

“This is the first in history and today marks one of my happiest days and it’s just the beginning,” he said.