Little London stars resist big transfer offers

LITTLE LONDON, Westmoreland — Two student athletes at Little London High School, both recently called up to represent Jamaica at the national level, have declared they will not leave the institution that nurtured their talent — despite being bombarded with transfer offers, some of which allegedly include money, from competing schools. “I’m not really fighting to go to a different school or caring if a school is bigger than ours, or if people say, ‘That school is dunce, and this school is bright.’ I’m not that type of person; I keep myself where I was spotted first,” stated Little London High football player Orlando Reid in an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Friday. Reid was recently called up to the Jamaica Under-17 national team, and he and the school have already received 30 transfer inquiries for him.

A similar sentiment was shared by 16-year-old Negril native Ashanti Guthrie, a member of the Jamaica Under-19 Women’s Cricket team. Ashanti Guthrie, a member of the Jamaica Under-19 Women’s Cricket team, speaking with the Jamaica Observer last Friday. Guthrie made the national side at age 15 and has already received three transfer offers from other secondary institutions.

“I don’t want to go to their school. I’m not going to leave my teammates, the girls I know here, and the people who push me and motivate me. I prefer to stay at this school until I graduate and go to college,” stated Guthrie, who aspires to become a physical education teacher or nurse while continuing her cricket career.

Both students became emotional as they reflected on the personal setbacks that drive their determination to succeed. Two years ago he suffered another tragic loss when his uncle — his primary mentor — died in a crash on his way to the Sangster International Airport in St James. “I was very emotional about it but I decided to keep my head up.

Little London High School principal, Councillor Garfield James speaking in an interview with the Jamaica Observer at the School last Friday. That motivated me,” said Reid, whose main support system now includes his mother and stepfather. “He [deceased uncle] taught me how to be a goalkeeper.

That’s the reason why I’m doing this — for him and my dad.” In addition to coping with grief, Reid, who wants to become a soldier and a professional footballer, lost his personal belongings and missed out o…