By Delvon McEwan
Local tennis ace Nicola Ramdyhan departed Guyana on Wednesday to take up scholarship in the USA where she would seek to develop tennis skill and to pursue a degree in Accounting at Clark Atlanta University in Georgia.
The former St. Joseph’s and Bishop’s High School student acquired the scholarship through renowned tennis coach Bill Adams who first spotted her during the Trinidad and Tobago International Tennis Federation (ITF) world ranking tournament in 2015.
Earlier this year, in an interview with Guyana Times International Sport, Adams noted he was very impressed with her ability at first sight.
At that time Ramdyhan was enrolled in a four- month programme at his academy, becoming the first female Guyanese to make it to this platform, and the second from the Land of Many Waters after Duanne Lewis created history over a decade ago.
While blooming in confidence at a positive outcome, Ramdyhan shared a few words of advice to young females who would like to emulate or surpass her on the tennis court.
“I am optimistic of balancing my studies as well as my days on the court because that is what is required of me”, Ramdyhan boldly stated.
Breaking onto the scene at the tender age of seven, Ramdyhan found inspiration mainly in her mom, Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan, who was a national tennis champion.
Outside of the Guyana Tennis Association, most of Ramdyhan’s progress has gone unnoticed. However, the Sheltez Tennis Club player explained that she has created a platform that other Guyanese; in particular females can try to follow.
“Take risk, take lots of risks and positive ones too. It doesn’t have to be sport, but you could do something extracurricular because it helps with your social and educational life. Just believe in yourself and strive for whatever, you want to achieve,” the national tennis prodigy said.
The mother and coach, a former National female champion, said that she is confident that her offspring would be a good ambassador.
“I’m extremely happy and grateful for this, and outside (Nicola) being my daughter I know that she has the ability to represent Guyana well. This is nothing new to her in terms of representing Guyana but now it is on the bigger scale, so now I would hope that she continues to do all that she did and remember why she is doing it.” Daly-Ramdyhan stated.
