Fresh off the announcement that President Bharrat Jagdeo would be picking the 750,000 dollar first prize and the incurred Valued Added Tax for the Kashif and Shanghai tournament, the Ministry of Sport has said that it is considering requests from the organizers regarding the ministry’s involvement this year. Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony told Stabroek Sport that he met with the organizing team on Tuesday Nov. 13 at which time they put forward a request for the ministry to pick up the 350,000 dollar second prize and trophy as was done previously under then Minister of Sport, Gail Texieira. Minister Anthony said while sponsoring the trophy is possible, the cash prize would depend on the availability of funds in the Ministry’s coffers. Anthony will also officially declare the tournament open on Dec. 16. This year’s tournament will feature 16 local teams vying for the right to be called the best team in the country for a year. The organizers are currently in negotiations with Surinamese club side Robin Hood to be the main attraction on Opening Day. This year’s tournament will be the 18th edition of the Kashif and Shanghai year-end spectacle having begun in 1989 in Linden.
