TWENTY-three-year-old Shavar Brown is not only known for his competence in the engineering department at the Couples Sans Souci Hotel in St Mary but also as a great footballer.

So great is his talent in representing the hotel in major competitions that he is often seen as one who should be on the national team.

Brown who represented Jamaica at the under-17 and under-20 levels said he had given up playing football after he was seriously injured, but snatched the opportunity two years ago when he got the chance to represent the company he now works for.

While work is demanding, Brown, who represents the hotel in the Sandals St Ann/St Mary Business House Football League, is always out for training and ensuring that he is ready to represent the company.

“It takes a lot of work,” he explained.

With his hard work and dedication, it came as no surprise that Brown was voted this year’s most valuable player in the St Ann/St Mary Sandals Business House League.

Brown who scored nine goals for his team received an award for his commitment last Thursday, at an awards ceremony held at the Beaches Ocho Rios hotel. He was the leading goalscorer in the competition for the two years he has been a part of it.

Brown believes it is his love for the sport why he has continued to do well.

“From mi know myself mi a play football. Mi just grow up and love the sports,” Brown told the Jamaica Observer North East.

According to Brown, he enjoys working in the hotel industry and football adds to the fun and excitement of the job.

Although working behind the scene addressing the technical part of the job, Brown believes he has a very important role working in the tourism industry.

While Brown’s colleagues think he is very talented and should be representing Jamaica at the highest level, the young star said he does not intend to quit the hospitality sector soon.

“My friends tell me to take up football,” Brown said, adding that for now he is more focused on growing in his job.

Brown, who is described as humble, friendly and jovial intends to take the journey one day at a time and does not want to make hasty decisions.

“He needs to be on the Jamaica football team because he has what it takes,” Brown’s co-worker Fitzroy Hinds said.

Hinds said if Brown receives good mentorship, he has the potential to excel in the sport and to represent his country well.

“He is a good footballer,” Hinds reiterated.

Walter Coombs, engineer at the hotel, describes Brown as a consistent and determined person. Although Brown is a dedicated footballer for the company, he said the youngster who is from Windsor Heights in St Ann is reliable in all areas of the job.

— Renae Dixon