Ralph: We have quality. It is something that natural Jamaicans are blessed with, but we need the mentality of good professionals. - CONTRIBUTED
WHEN DAMANI Ralph joined Russian Premier League side FC Rubin Kazan from U.S. Major League outfit Chicago Fire in March 2005, he became only the second Jamaican player to play football in that country.
His move to the Russian team was seen as a tremendous financial opportunity for the striker and his former club president at Chicago Fire, Peter Wilt, was quoted as saying "this is a great situation for Damani financially. This move will enable him to take care of himself and his family in Jamaica for life".
The 25 year-old former St. George's College student represented his school at all levels of football. He played in the Under-13 Pepsi Cup, Under-16 Colts and the Manning Cup while representing Harbour View at the minor league and premier league levels.
Ralph began his career in America playing college football at Meridian Community College in Meridian, Mississippi, where he scored 59 goals in 45 games and was named MVP of the National Junior College Athletic association (NJCAA) Tournament.
After two years at Meridian, Ralph left for the University of Connecticut where he continued to dominate the school leagues. He finished his two years at Connecticut with 28 goals and 11 assists, and was a Hermann Trophy finalist in his senior year.
Ralph was then drafted as the 18th overall pick by the Fire in the 2003 MLS Super Draft and responded by capturing the Rookie of the Year award after scoring 11 goals, including the MSL Goal of The Year, and making six assists.
Despite having been the best of the Jamaicans playing in MLS, Ralph has struggled to cement a starting place on the Jamaica national team, largely because of competition from a number of naturalised Jamaican forwards from England and talented local players.
The Gleaner caught up with the talented and bustling player while he was on vacation watching his old club Harbour View in action just recently.
QUESTION: How would you describe your season in Russia?
DAMANI RALPH: I wouldn't describe it as a failure but as a learning experience.
Question: How many goals did you score and what was your target?
DR: My target was 15 or more but I scored two goals for Rubin Kazan
Question: What is it like living in Russia? (language, food, music, etc.)
DR: The first couple of months was a struggle but as the year went on I got used to the food and the climate and the surroundings. There is not much entertainment, it's just the TV and I read books and play the play station. Basically that was my entertainment. I go to a few clubs that play the American hip hop and now and then you hear an old school reggae.
Question: When you saw the World Cup draw recently, how did you feel knowing that Jamaica could have been there?
DR: I just put it behind me, I never really have any remorse. It doesn'‘t really make sense you cry over spilt milk. But looking at the draw, it looked like it would be a nice draw for us against England and the next two teams. Probably Jamaica could really have had a chance.
Question: How would you compare the US Major League to the Russian League?
DR: The U.S. League is a growing league but the Russian league is a league with history. They are more physical, the speed of play is quicker. Overall it is above the U.S. now, but I think in a few years the U.S. will improve because every year they get better and better. It is proven with their players because they are using local players that play in the MLS and they are winning games and qualifying and gaining a good FIFA ranking. That shows that the league is obviously improving.
Question: Will you be around for 2010 campaign (World Cup)?
DR: Well I am hoping. The ball game is funny, that’s why I need to start scoring some goals and stay in good form because every young player is looking for a chance.
Question: What do you think about the current state of football locally?
DR: Right now local football needs help. It needs some sponsors because we are trying to get the league into a semi-professional league. Without that kind of professionalism it will be difficult for when the players need to make the transition from local club to abroad.
Question: How about the quality of play?
DR: There are always quality players and that’s why we need to give them the proper infrastructure to mould them into good professional players. We have quality. It is something that natural Jamaicans are blessed with, but we need the mentality of good professionals.
Question: After football, what will you be doing?
DR: Well, when it comes I’ll cross that bridge but right now I’m just trying to enjoy the football and make the best of it.
Question: Any plans of playing locally again?
DR: Every footballers dream when they finish is that they want to relocate back home and finish where they started. So definitely when my career winds down. If I am in shape and still healthy I would love to come finish my career and hopefully by then we actually have a professional league. It would be even more enticing.
-Howard Walker
