From one great Lowe to another

Reggae Boyz coach, Heimir Halgrimsson, isn’t the only one singing the praises of central defender Damion Lowe, who changed the momentum of the quarterfinal Concacaf Nations League A tie against Canada on Tuesday.

The performance drew immediate comparisons to his father Onandi Lowe, part of Jamaica’s 1998 World Cup team. Onandi, who played at the other end of the pitch throughout his professional career, scored 27 goals for Jamaica.

“That’s my son and they should know that what is in me, is in him,” said a proud Onandi after the game.

“The only position I didn’t play is being in the goal. They already know the calibre of the athlete and I say athlete because Damion is not only a footballer, he even did high jump while at Camperdown High,” said the elder Lowe.

According to Onandi, getting used to high pressure is something he credits to Damion’s upbringing.

“When he was much younger, he used to cry because of the excitement of the National Stadium, but by carrying him over and over he started to run on the field and kick the ball to goal every chance he got, that’s where it all started. I remember Fabian Davis, Walter Boyd, Tati, Shorty, Pepe, Bibi all knew him as a youngster. He grew up around football.”

But Onandi also credits Damion’s grandfather for showing them the basics.

“My father was also an excellent football coach, who taught us to juggle and keep the balance and he taught us how to protect the ball and basic side pass and accuracy. He incorporated discipline and repetition until we got it right. He did that with me and he did the same with Damion. That’s where we got our skills from, a good teacher and his excellent students.”

According to Onandi, Damion’s upbringing never steered far from the football field.

“As he grew, Pat Garrell, Lorna Bell & Juici Bell took responsibility to ensure Damion was taken care of. He has always been a part of the sports community.”

Now, witnessing his son perform in front of full stadia all over the world, Onandi feels a sense of accomplishment and one of continuity.

“My book is complete. I came, I saw and I achieved, and my son came, and saw and continues the journey and by the mercy of God, his offspring will continue the journey as well.”

But like Damion who has a vision for the Reggae Boyz bigger than himself, his father has not stopped dreaming about the heights the national programme can achieve.

“My message to the current Reggae Boyz would be, ‘we can do it.’ Use all the components that you have within each other and put it together and build something that we the ‘98 players and the country can be proud of and that the younger ones can use to follow the journey after you.”

“Jamaica, qualifying again, will be a country and team effort. Even though we can’t predict football, because football is like life, it’s a challenge so we just need to meet that challenge.”