Bygrave’s patience pays off

When Dunbeholden's Atapharoy Bygrave initially did not make last week's national senior men's training squad for the local players, he said that he had to remain patient to wait for his opportunity to play for the Reggae Boyz.

His patience was rewarded as he was named on Monday to the 24-man squad for the final three games of the men's World Cup qualifying campaign, starting with their home tilt against El Salvador tomorrow at the National Stadium at 6:05 p.m.

It was a moment that Bygrave said that he was thankful for as he continued his relentless pace in the Jamaica Premier League this season.

"First and foremost, I would like to give thanks to the Father. It's a pleasure to represent my country. So I have to continue working hard and get the job done," Bygrave said.

On the same day that he was called up to the Reggae Boyz, Bygrave crowned his achievement in Dunbeholden's 2-0 win over Humble Lion, scoring his league-leading ninth goal of the season, helping Dunbeholden to regain second place in the table with 22 points, with one match remaining in the first round.

Bygrave insists that there has been no special secret to his blistering start to the season or his team, just the continued discipline in his work ethic and guidance from head coach Harold Thomas.

"I just follow the coach's instructions day in day out in training, off the field and on the field, so that gives me the results," Bygrave said. Bygrave will be joining a squad that will have a mix of local-based players, with a nod to the youth which includes Cavalier SC's Christopher Pearson and Harbour View's Tarick Ximinies.

Whether he gets the chance to put on the Jamaican colours in these three games or not, Bygrave says that his only responsibility is to stay prepared to take advantage of this opportunity.

"It's an honour to represent the country. I feel great about the call-up. I just have to put in the work and then we will take it from there," Bygrave said.

After El Salvador, Jamaica will face Canada in Toronto on March 27 before concluding the campaign at home against Honduras on March 30.