LAST WEEKEND, Constant Spring defeated Real Mona 4-0 at the UWI Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence to lift their first KSAFA U13 title.
After what has been a three-year absence, winning coach Haron Martin was thoroughly impressed with the talent he saw throughout the course of the competition.
Martin, who also won JISA prep school double with Lannaman’s Preparatory and coached the KSAFA Elite Under-15s to victory over the summer, believes the country’s future looks bright if the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) gets hold of what he calls these ‘special’ talents and helps them matriculate.
“It has been a while and, because of COVID-19, everyone has been anticipating this KSAFA competition.
“We really have some good talent and I am looking forward to seeing some of these players in the future,” he commented.
“Most of these players will be participating in the Under-14 competition, representing their respective schools, and I am really anticipating seeing these players.”
The Wolmer’s Under-14 coach thought his leading striker, Kelvin Brown, who netted 24 goals, and captain Kevaugn Halloway, along with Kadene Robinson of Real Mona, are exceptional.
“Kelvin is a very strong player. I believe he is a natural striker. He has room for improvement but he has a great future.
Our captain Kevaugn Halloway has been very consistent, coming through the ranks along with Ramesh Simms and Roshane Jeffery.
“But I really saw some good talent. Real Mona have a player, Kadene Robinson, and Cavalier and Ballaz (Liguanea) have some good talent,” he added.
Meanwhile, with the hunt for young talent becoming a top priority for schools, clubs and academies in recent times, many are trying to capture the best talent at an early age, with even Under-10 players Makiri D’Aguilar, Jahvaughn Harry and Samir McLarty already sitting on radars.
Martin insists the potential is immense and that the federation must capture and help them progress.
“The sky’s the limit. We have had special talent like these before. I really hope the JFF has something in place to see these players, because they are really special.”
He also added that he hopes this is the first step in getting Constant Spring FC back to the top of local football.
“I am happy to be a part of Constant Spring winning their first Under-13 title. It really means a lot where we are coming from, and it is only a matter of time that we are back on the football map.”