Kashif and Shanghai football tournament kicks off this weekend in Guyana

BY AVENASH RAMZAN

Twenty (20) teams will throw down the gauntlet from Saturday when action in the 22nd Kashif and Shanghai Football Tournament gets into gear at the world famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda. 

A double-header will get the tournament underway with Mill Ballers of Bartica taking on Kuru Kururu Warriors at 17:30h and city side Pele clashing with Timehri Panthers.

In the break between games, the organisers will host the official opening ceremony, which is expected to be colourful with the march past of the participating teams.

A source close to the K& S Organisation told this publication that Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, Yog Mahadeo, and president (ag) of the Guyana Football Federation, Franklin Wilson, will deliver remarks at the opening. Speaking with Guyana Times International Sport yesterday, one of the directors of the tournament, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, said all systems are in place for a very successful and entertaining tournament.

Major said the K&S team will be meeting with the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force today to put the finishing touches with regards to the security arrangements for the December 10 to January 1, 2012, tournament.

Earlier in the week, Major’s long-standing partner in the year-end football extravaganza, Kashif Muhammad, said this year’s competition will be bigger and better. He also assured a higher level of competitiveness on the field, especially with the participation of top overseas clubs, Caledonia AIA of Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean United of Barbados.

Caledonia AIA is being led on the coaching side by the inspirational Jamaal Shabazz, the man, who as head coach, recently propelled Guyana’s Golden Jaguars’ to the next round of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers against Mexico, Costa Rica, and El Salvador.

Meanwhile, the teams are vying for the coveted prize of one pound of gold, valued at Gy$4million, compliments of Aruwai Enterprise Inc., while the runner-up team is guaranteed Gy$1million.

The 20 competing teams are Caribbean United, Caledonia AIA, Pele, Western Tigers, Topp XX, Milerock, Netrockers, Amelia’s Ward United, Winners Connection, BV/ Triumph, Victoria Kings, Buxton Stars, Den Amstel, Seawall United, New Amsterdam United, Rosignol United, Mill Ballers, Timehri Panthers, Kuru Kururu Warriors, and Grove Hi-Tec.

The preliminary matches will be played at the GCC, Uitvlugt, Mackenzie Sports Club, Blairmont, and BV grounds, while the semi-finals and final will take place at the National Stadium, Providence.