Kashif and Shanghai Football Tournament gets approved seal of ‘national event’

By Reuben Stoby 

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, has placed the ‘approved seal of national event’ on the prestigious Kashif and Shanghai Football Tournament, which he said has set a benchmark for sport organising in the country. 

Minister Anthony was speaking at the presentation ceremony for the 21st Kashif and Shanghai Football Tournament, at the Sleep In International Hotel, Brickdam, on Friday. 

The minister alluded to the tournament being able to fill the National Stadium at the final, played on New Year’s Day; and noted that not even World Cup Cricket was able to draw such numbers to the fifteen-thousand-seating capacity stadium. 

Anthony noted that there was much criticism when the final was moved from Linden, since it had obviously outgrown the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground, and that a packed to capacity National Stadium might also mean that the tournament is also outgrowing the national venue. 

He said, too, that many people in parliament had been of the view that the National Stadium was going to be a white elephant. However, the Kashif and Shanghai tournament has helped to show otherwise. 

Another notable achievement of the annual football tournament, the minister added, was when the legendary ‘King’ Pele was brought to Guyana for the opening of the previous Kashif and Shanghai Football Tournament. 

Minister Anthony remarked that the highly-anticipated tournament has created an opportunity for talent to unfold, helping to identify good players who may even go on to represent the country.

The sport minister said that government recognised the hard work of the organizers, whom he described as men of talent and vision, and easy to work with. 

“The Kashif and Shanghai tournament has been enjoying the support of government for many years. President Jagdeo supported this tournament since he was a junior minister of finance. Government’s support remains strong, because these men said they could deliver and they have been delivering. We will continue to expect them to deliver, and they can continue to expect government’s continued support.” 

Minister Anthony also urged the organisers, Kashif Mohammed and Aubrey “Shanghai” Major, not to be complacent. 

“Continue to re-invest, continue to do more. This organisation is a dynamic one, and we are confident that it will continue to grow in strength and excellence.”