SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Footballer Kajaye Williams has a lot going on.

The 15-year-old Manning’s School student captained his school’s Under-14 team to the Western Rural Championship, he’s a member of the daCosta Cup team, part of the National Under-16 team, and membership in the Kingston Football Academy has seen him travelling to faraway lands including Holland and Germany.

He does all this while maintaining decent grades. So it came as no surprise when he was recently recognised for his hard work and leadership skills.

Young Kajaye has been awarded the $150,000 Hopeton Kelly Memorial Scholarship. He received it from the Manning’s Class of ’82 Trust during an Elron Cup Champions (1978) Memorial held at the school on July 15.

“I feel pretty good knowing that my hard work is being recognised and it has paid off in terms of getting rewards,” said Kajaye, who added that the funds will assist with the purchase of books and uniforms.

Among those cheering on Kajaye was his father Kevin Williams, who played on the 1993-1996 Manning’s daCosta Cup team and is now a coach at the school. He played a huge role in nurturing his younger son’s love for football, just as he did for his 17-year-old son Javin.

“They have reached and have gained more than I did during my time. I feel good as a parent to know that you took them to the ball field when they were small. You watch them develop and to see where they are at right now and with the future of football right now where they can go, it is a good look and a good feeling as a parent,” said the proud father and coach.

He admitted it has not been easy ensuring that there is a balance between academics and sports.

“It was a bit challenging as a parent. I have to ensure that they reach up to Kingston every Friday and get back down every Sunday and then for school on Monday,” explained Kevin.

President of Manning’s School Alumni Football Foundation Dirk Brown knows all too well how tight Kajaye’s schedule has been. He pointed out that the teenager made the journey from football camp in Kingston just in time to collect his award.

“He has a very hectic schedule between his classroom expectations and then he has to go to national training and come back. He has a lot that he has to do but he balances it well and I want to commend his parents for probably creating the avenue for that,” Brown told the Jamaica Observer.

While he initially played just because his big brother did, Kajaye now loves the game. Like his brother, he wants to be a professional player. The teenager’s career goals have gone through a number of transitions over the years. At first he wanted to become a doctor and he received the highest average for science in Western Jamaica in the 2020 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exam. Now his focus is on business subjects.

Whatever Kajaye ultimately decides to do, he is enjoying the limelight that football provides for now.

On the day when he received his scholarship, there was a game between Manning’s Over 50 All Stars (which includes the Elron Cup Champions of 1978 and 1979 who played against Jamaica Over 50 past national players) and Reggae Boyz players. At the end of the game, the score was three-all.

Among the senior players were Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore, former Reggae Boyz head coach; Paul Young; Lynval “Palla” Wilson; Hector Wright; Michael “Jim Dandy” Graham; Linval “Rudy” Dixon and Dennis Hudson, among others.

Proceeds from the match went towards Kajaye’s scholarship. According to Brian Rodger Young, a member of the Elron Cup Champions Memorial organising team, the intention is to make the memorial and scholarship activities an annual event.

“It was very successful. We were hoping to see more attendees but I think the people weren’t expecting us to have all these stars in one place, but now they know,” he said.