Braham eyes a future as Reggae Boyz captain

Paul Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:Ten-year-old Anil Braham, a midfielder for St James Preparatory School in the 2013 Samsung Cup for primary and preparatory schools, is already showing signs that he could be a future high-school football star. Young Braham is quite the midfielder for his school, where although capable of playing multiple positions, his coach Dwaine Humphrey has been using him in the right midfield spot where he directs traffic as team captain.

His impact has not gone unnoticed and his coach has praised him for his role so far in leading St James Prep to the quarter-finals of the competition. Now he has his sights set on attending one of Munro College, St Elizabeth Technical High School or the Herbert Morrison Technical High when he graduates from prep school.

"I must tell you first that I am fully enjoying myself as captain, and the players look up to me for leadership, which is a good thing, and if we keep winning as we are now, we will win the cup," said Braham.

The fifth grader says he leads by example not only on the field but also in the classroom, where he clearly has been doing well. "If I am a leader on the field, then I must also be a good leader in my class," he said.

But as a footballer, his dreams are as large as his laughter. Braham wants one day to represent the Reggae Boyz as captain, and he is fully aware that that journey begins with his participation in the Samsung Cup, powering his school to four straight wins and a draw, a record that would make many other schools envious.

"This youngster is a true gem and all things being equal, we are looking at him to go places in the future," said coach Humphrey.