How Bob Marley's Legacy Lives On Through Jamaican Sports
And why his daughter Cedella is the real MVP
Whatsup Squad,
If Bob Marley were not a musician, he would have been a footballer.
And his love for football (soccer), which he instilled in his daughter Cedella, continues to pay dividends for athletes all around Jamaica.
Football is Freedom
Bob Marley is famously quoted saying, "football is freedom," as he often used the beautiful game as a break from the rigors of life as a touring musician.
With a huge front yard at his home at 56 Hope Road in Kingston, football was played nearly every day while the band was home from tour.
And he didn’t just love to play. He used sports as a way to give back.
British photographer Dennis Morris recalls how Bob would spend his downtime while touring:
"Whenever he had time off, what'd he always do was go to a sports shop and buy 20 footballs, 20 pairs of boots and whatever. I didn't realize, but it was for the kids in Trench Town, back home. He was a very generous man."
And while Bob passed in 1981, his family never stopped giving back.
Cedella Marley Champions the Reggae Girlz
In 2008, underfunding led to the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) disbanding the women’s national team.
Then in 2014, Bob Marley’s daughter Cedella became aware of a fundraising campaign to help restart the program.
Cedella got to work almost immediately, helping to raise $300,000 in the first year!
In 2019, her efforts culminated in the women’s national team becoming the first Caribbean country to qualify for a Women’s World Cup.
Marley’s work has helped not only improve standards and conditions for players, but also helped shift the country’s attitude towards the women’s national team.
With Cedella as CEO, The Bob Marley Foundation continues to support the Reggae Girlz by providing financial support related to training, coaching, travel, accommodation and gear.
Taking inspiration from her father’s famous words, Cedella founded the ‘Football is Freedom’ initiative to support the development and expansion of women's football at every level.
At the grassroots level, the initiative is aimed at providing a holistic and safe environment where young girls can learn football skills, life lessons, and foster friendships.
Cedella’s Next Frontier
While Cedella Marley's tireless efforts have been crucial in elevating the Reggae Girlz to new heights, she hasn't stopped there.
Now, she is channeling that same energy into basketball.
Through The Bob Marley Foundation, Cedella has been helping the Jamaica Basketball Association (JABA) for the past 18 months, hoping to raise the profile of Jamaica’s basketball program.
As Jamaica embarks on a qualifying campaign for the upcoming FIBA World Cup in 2027 and the Summer Olympics in 2028, they appointed Marley as an official Ambassador.
And the JABA is already seeing the fruits of her labor.
Marley played a pivotal role in facilitating the visit of AJ Dybantsa, the projected #1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
There are two pillars JABA is focused on: growing the sport from the grassroots level and raising the visibility of Jamaican basketball on the global stage.
As JABA's new ambassador, Marley has pledged to leverage her extensive network to help the association achieve its goals. This includes securing funding for court renovations, equipment, and youth development programs.
Final Thoughts
Cedella Marley's unwavering commitment to uplifting Jamaican sports is a testament to her father's enduring influence.
With her leadership, the Marley legacy is evolving from Football is Freedom to Sports is Freedom.
That said, she’s not the only unsung hero for sports development in Jamaica. And I’m excited to highlight other folks helping make the dreams of Jamaican athletes a reality.
Who should I cover next?
Until next time ✌🏾
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Much love to Cedella Marley!