Citing a belief that Jamaica’s footballers are not well-respected in North America, Reggae Boyz defender Damion Lowe thinks it’s time that his Jamaican compatriots start to look elsewhere to ply their trade, more specifically, the Middle-East.

The 27-year-old Lowe, the son of former Jamaican player Onandi Lowe, currently plays in the Egyptian Premier League for second-placed Al Ittihad. Having played there since last November, he has seen where there is room there for many more Jamaicans to enjoy successful professional careers.

“After I got here they kept coming to me and saying, ‘Whenever we ask agents for players, they bring Brazilians or Africans, but we need more players, more Jamaicans’,” Lowe explained during an interview on the Reggae Boyz Commentary YouTube channel.

“I told them we Jamaicans work hard, we want to make a living, we are not as valued in the North American continent, and a number of players are out of contract so there is a surplus of us to choose from.”

In fact, Lowe has not only made the suggestion, he has helped facilitate the move of a few players, including Romario Williams, who has now joined him at Al Ittihad.

“I gave them a couple names and Romario Williams came,” Lowe said.

 “Then the agent who played a part in getting myself and Romario here, reached out and asked for a defender and a striker and he brought in Darren Mattocks and Alvas Powell.”

 But it’s not just Egypt that is offering opportunities, Lowe revealed.

“Our next door neighbours, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar — the market is open now for Jamaicans because we have come here and we are doing well, and I’m happy I was able to play a part in helping my countrymen,” said Lowe.

“If people pay attention or watch the highlights, there are lots of technically sound players here because clubs have the money to recruit. From our team, the Egyptians called an Olympic team and about six or seven of our players went, they’re also in the national team. You have really good, quality players and the league is demanding.”