Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

Jamaica's Keammar Daley focuses as he attempts a bicycle kick during the Pan American Games semi-final against Mexico in Rio de Janeiro during July last year.

Seeing this young man on the football field, one would never imagine that he is just 19 years old.

Poised, prolific and ready to strike, Meadhaven United's star player, Keammar Daley, exuberates class and style way beyond his years.

"I have a God-given talent. Football is natural to me," Daley said.

His hard work has already started to pay off, as on Tuesday night he was rewarded at the 47th RJR Sports Foundation 2007 Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards ceremony for scoring four vital goals that helped to steer the Under-21 Reggae Boyz to a silver medal finish at the Pan American Games in Brazil last year.

After accepting his award, Daley stated: "It is an honour for me to have been given the opportunity to represent my country at this age. I also have to give the coaching staff credit and the players for the hard work and give God thanks for the goals I scored."

Young invitees

Daley is one of five members of the silver winning team among the 24 local invitees who are training with the senior Reggae Boyz for the Ash Wednesday international friendly football match against Costa Rica at the National Stadium.

The other youth invitees are goalkeeper Dwayne Kerr, defender Keneil Moodie, captain and midfielder Ricardo Cousins and Eric Vernon.

"My chances are equal as everyone else and to be part of this squad is like a dream come true, even though I am not there as yet. I just have to remain calm and work hard," he said. - AP