By Daily Sports Nigeria on July 20, 2024

Nigerian actress, screenwriter, and film producer, Uche Jombo Rodriguez, talks about her sporting interests, love for Manchester United and more in this enthralling interview with GODWIN AIKIGBE

How would you rate your level of interest in sports?

I love football a great deal. I have always loved football; even as a kid, I was watching live football matches and didn’t realise “girls.”

Were you actively involved in sports growing up? If yes, which sport in particular, and to what level did you pursue it?

I played street football as a child and was good at it. I would have loved to play it on a professional level, but that obviously didn’t happen because I was seriously involved in other things, especially acting.

You are a strong supporter of Manchester United. Why did you choose them over other top Premier League clubs? What is your opinion of the new dispensation, particularly their activities in the summer transfer market?

I’m a born Manchester United fan; I didn’t even know I had a choice to support any other club as a child. I like the proactiveness of the new dispensation. Seeing how quickly we are getting transfers done is giving me hope. Now, I know we can favourably compete for titles next season. The players they are bringing in are of top quality.

Is your son involved in any sports? Would you encourage him to pursue a professional career in sports? If yes, which would you prefer?

I wish he was, but he is more interested in basketball than football. The choice is his, and I would support him in reaching his career goals in whatever way possible.

Who is your favourite sports personality, and why?

Lionel Messi is my favourite sports personality. I chose him for his infectious humility, discipline, and competitiveness. Also, for everything he’s done for the sport, He is a role model for every aspiring football player.

Who is your favourite Nigerian sporting legend, and why?

I don’t have any, but I have some of them that I like for what they mean and have done for the national team, like Austin Jay-Jay Okocha.

Briefly shed light on your latest project, Onyeegwu.

Anyone who knows me or has followed me knows that I love football a lot. My two greatest loves are film and football. My latest project, Onyeegwu, gave me the opportunity to bring the two together. It’s a football film about family, hope, hard work, love, and forgiveness. It starts streaming on Amazon Prime Video on July 19.

Onyeegwu has been a two years journey from shoot to here. It wasn’t an easy one shoot, we were filming mostly outside so off course we had to deal with area boys and all! This is a story I want told well and right! This is my love letter to a sport I love so much , football! We shot in Lagos and Istanbul.

Do you think Nigeria is adequately prepared for the 2024 Olympics in Paris? What are your expectations?

They should be adequately prepared because the Olympic Games is not a small competition and because it features the biggest stars in all sporting events across the world. I have no expectations; it’s easier for me like that. I wish Team Nigeria the best of luck.

If you were to pursue a career in sports, which would it be?

Obviously, football. As I said earlier, it is one of my two greatest loves.

Source Punch Ng

Posted July 20, 2024

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