Football is the predominant sport in Nigeria, but in the past few years, there’s been a spotlight on other sports by different individuals who are enthusiastic about the opportunity to be in something new while repping Nigeria or they’ve been influenced by media through the internet sparking their zeal. Unlike previous generations, the youth of Nigeria is more diverse about their liberation through sport, multiple platforms are coming together to support whatever direction the future of the sport is steering into. Access to more knowledge on different sport has helped more kids to excel in what they really like without being forced to follow the conventional football route.
I love Serena, I love her style, I love the way she plays. But I’d love to be myself, just Marylove Edwards.
Marylove Edwards, dubbed the Nigerian ‘Serena Williams‘ is an offspring of this narrative, she began her tennis career at the age of four. Edwards is trained by her dad, a similar path of her idol, and at only 13 she’s ranked first in Africa for U14 Girls after winning her first national call-up at the Under 14 2018 CAT/ITF West and Central African Junior Championship qualifiers holding in Togo, West Africa. She’s currently pursuing her tennis dreams at the prestigious IMG Academy after her management secured funding for her tuition.
I am excited and happy to be the champion of the West and Central African Junior Championship. I also want to say thank you to EleVen by Venus for giving me the nice outfit I wore in the finals, she shared in a statement by her representative at Temple Management Company (TMC).
Her skill and good management have helped push her career to new heights, she’s dedicated to the game and wants to rise to the top of without losing who she is. Nick Bollettieri, a prestigious tennis trainer who’s trained stars like Serena and Venus Williams, Andre Agassi and Monica Seles that all attended the IMG Academy known for training cross eight sports – baseball, basketball, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and track & field and cross country singled out Edwards for her unique double-handed style. In his words, Edwards is “very different, a super athlete. Very handy. Only a few can get away with that style.”
We are focused on our commitment to ensuring that Marylove continues to make progress and such as her latest triumph both on and off the court. This is a great step in that direction and we firmly believe it is just the beginning of what we will be a great future for her. – said TMC Head of Sports, Koye Sowemimo.