Sports Impact

Mar 2025 – May 2025

Chukwuebuka Ezugha

Anambra State, Nigeria

A graduate of Library & Information Science/Technology from Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, Nigeria Chukwuebuka Ezugha is founder and CEO of Chukwuebuka Freestyle Entertainment and Academy.

One of five children, he was born and raised in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Chukwuebuka’s passion lies in grassroots development of creative sports, where he dedicates his efforts to discovering, training, & providing opportunities for underprivileged children to thrive through their talents.

Initiating the ‘Chukwuebuka School Freestyle Football Training Program’ (CSFFTP) and Chukwuebuka School Competition on January 11, 2019, he has tirelessly visited schools across Nigeria, imparting the art of Freestyle Football.

With a goal to curb unemployment and social issues among youth, (CSFFTP) emphasizes the balance between academic excellence and sporting prowess.

His organisation has identified and nurtured talents, producing five Guiness Book of Records, world record holders; featuring in three consecutive Guinness World Records books (2021, 2022, 2023).

AGN; What inspired you to start Chukwuebuka Freestyle Entertainment and Academy?

CE; I started CFE because of my passion for freestyle football and my desire to reduce unemployment and social vices among Nigerian youth. Through this initiative, both highly and less talented individuals can earn a living by utilizing their talents. I was a victim of a fake football agent who shattered my dream of playing in Europe after I spent over five million naira. I don’t want our students to have a similar experience.

AGN; Can you tell us about your journey to achieving 24 Guinness World Records?

CE; We began our Guinness World Records quest in November 2019 and by 2024 we had achieved a total of 24 awards for myself and 5 of our students, whom we discovered through our weekly school training program, ‘Chukwuebuka School Freestyle Football Training Program,’ in various schools in Nigeria.

AGN; Which among these record stands out the most for you?

CE; The record that stands out the most for me is my 9th record; ‘Most conservative contortion arm passes while balancing a football on the head’. Moving my hands from front to back is something I started doing when I was 5 years old and last year I decided to make it a world record.

AGN; How did your passion for freestyle football begin?

CE; I developed an interest in freestyle football after watching clips of Ronaldo and Jay-Jay Okocha, as I believed it made them unique compared to other players. My passion grew stronger when two of our senior academy players, who were skilled in freestyle football, were scouted by the Aspire Football Academy (Qatar) scouts in 2017. One of them, Solomon Udo, currently plays for the Armenian National Team. After several weeks of intense training, I began to perform impressive tricks with the ball.

AGN; What challenges did you face while establishing your academy, and how did you overcome them?

CE; Funds were a major issue, but I used the little resources I had to start my academy and utilized different football fields for training. Additionally, there is a narrative that portrays those who do freestyle football as jobless, so we needed to change that narrative with our programs.

I am happy to say that we have gained the upper hand, and now people want to enrol their children.

AGN; How do you balance your role as a CEO, coach, and mentor singlehandedly?

CE; Balancing these roles was difficult when I started a few years ago, but now it’s manageable because I have employed people to assist with some tasks.

AGN; What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?

CE; The most memorable moment was when we were invited to Italy by Guinness World Records partner’s, Banijay Italia, for a record-breaking attempt.

AGN; How do you identify and nurture young talent?

CE; We identify talent through the ‘Chukwuebuka School Freestyle Football Training Program’ (CSFFTP) and nurture them through our academy programs. The CSFFTP is a weekly school training program that we started in November 2018. We visit primary and secondary schools in Nigeria to train interested students, even if they have never kicked a football before. Additionally, we have a football training program in our academy for kids who wish to pursue a career in football, giving them the opportunity to have two career paths in case one doesn’t work out. All our 5 Guinness World Records holders were discovered through the (CSFFTP).

AGN; Can you share the impact of the ‘Chukwuebuka School Competition’ on young athletes and their academic progress?

CE; The Chukwuebuka School Freestyle Football Competition (CSFFC) is typically held between October and November to determine the best-performing students or schools from the CSFFTP, who receive a year-long scholarship and other prizes.

The competition also serves as a way to round up and assess our progress for the year. Our programs do not affect the students’ academic performance, as our training sessions are usually held after school or during game days.

AGN; You’ve trained and produced several world record holders. How do you ensure the continued success and motivation of your students?

CE; Our training program runs three times a week during school sessions and five times a week during holidays. We offer online programs for students who are far away during school sessions, and during holidays, we invite them to our camp.

In terms of motivation, our record holders and best-performing students are given scholarships, opportunities for Guinness World Record’s attempts, chances to perform at high-quality events, media publicity, club trials, and more. With all these incentives, the drive to improve keeps them motivated.

AGN; How did it feel to be invited to Milan, Italy, for your 13th Guinness World Records attempt, and how did that experience differ from your previous record attempts?

CE; The Milan trip was another way God rewarded my relentless efforts in giving back to the underprivileged over the years. It was something I worked hard for, and I was thrilled to secure our first international deal. It was a memorable experience that changed the narrative about freestyle football in Nigeria.

The attempt experience is overwhelming because you have to perform under the supervision of the Guinness World Records officials, where no mistakes are allowed. This is why I advise anyone who wants to become a record holder to focus on something they’re truly good at to avoid embarrassment if they’re invited to repeat their attempt in front of the world.

AGN; What has been the reaction from local governments and dignitaries like Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo regarding your work with the youth and sports?

CE; Two weeks after our return from Italy, my State governor’s wife, Her Excellency Chief Mrs. Nonye Soludo, reposted our achievements with a congratulatory message and later reached out to me, inviting us to the governor’s lodge. There, we met the governor, who encouraged us and awarded Chinonso Eche and Victor Richard Kipo five-year scholarships, as well as financial support.

In November 2024, an estate owner, Mr. Clifford Augustine Collins (CEO of Ollic Development), gifted 10-time Guinness World Record holder from Akwa Ibom state, Victor Richard Kipo, a plot of land in Uyo. This is the support we’ve received so far.

AGN; With the increasing recognition of freestyle football globally, where do you see the sport heading in the next five years, and what role would you like to play in its growth?

CE; Freestyle football is a big business in some parts of Europe, and I want it to be the same in Africa within five years, where young athletes can earn a living through the sport, just like comedians, musicians, and others. We have already started from the grassroots since 2018, and hopefully, these athletes will become global figures.

AGN; What impact do you believe your work has on addressing youth unemployment and social issues in Nigeria?

CE; Through the Chukwuebuka School Freestyle Football Training Program (CSFFTP), we’re addressing the issue of unemployment and social vices among youth at the grassroots level.

We have made a positive impact by showing both talented and less talented individuals that they can actually earn a living through this sport.

AGN; What advice would you give to young athletes who are aspiring to follow in your footsteps and break world records?

CE; To everyone who wants to become a Guinness World Records holder, it is very possible and easier than you might think. That special ability within you can become a world record. Whatever you are good at can become a record. We are here to assist you with anything you need to know about Guinness World Records.

AGN; What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about freestyle football, and how do you work to change that perception?

CE; Many people, particularly in Africa, view freestyle football as a non-lucrative business, often labeling its athletes as dirty beggars or nobodies.

A few years ago, when I started the sport, my father was against it, but I never let that discourage me because I knew my path would be entirely different from what they were used to seeing. Thank God for social media and Guinness World Records, who are helping us make a difference.

Previous ‘Sports Impact’ features are available here; archive

Writer:
Nimo Williams Darkwa

Editor:
Ri Iyovwaye

on behalf of African Global Networks (AGN) – Mar 2025