Linden community deserves
better, says Kashif Muhammad
Co-director of the Kashif and Shanghai organization, Kashif Muhammad says the decision to relocate the finals of the annual tournament was to send a message that the Linden community which has contributed much to Guyana’s development deserves better.
“What we did, our decision, has to do with more than the finals of the tournament. What we are seeking to do is to send a message to those concerned that this community that has contributed so much to the development of Guyana deserves better. Indeed, we demand better,” he asserted.
His speech was delivered in the presence of acting President of Guyana, Samuel Hinds, Minister of Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, other distinguished guests, the sixteen participating teams and of course, hundreds of spectators who filled the MSC ground for the opening ceremony of the 19th Annual Kashif and Shanghai tournament on Sunday night.
He ‘cleared the air’ regarding the Kashif and Shanghai tournament in terms of the development of football in the country and the facility which had served Linden well in numerous activities, including sport, and he also noted the disappointments faced.
“There are others too, across the country, in both the private and public sectors who have helped to build this tournament and create that sense of permanence which we now claim.
“What makes us particularly proud is the role that we have played during those years in furthering the entertainment value of football and in laying the foundation for the development of many careers in the sport,” Muhammad added.
He also recalled how the tournament was in its embryonic stage almost two decades ago and how it has developed into a prestigious national tournament. However, he expressed dissatisfaction that during the past 19 years enough had not been done to create the infrastructure necessary for the sport to thrive.
Muhammad wished all the participating teams the best for the tournament and extended a special welcome to the debutant teams, Lethem All Stars from the Rupununi and Trinidad and Tobago’s K. Brans Sports Club team.
Hinds in his address pointed out that the march past display was quite impressive and congratulated the K&S organization for a tremendous event.
“Football has the capability to bring the entire Guyana together and it has been seen because this tournament, which started out as a Linden tournament, has grown into a countrywide tournament,” he declared.
Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony spoke proudly of the history of Guyanese football which he said was like a rock as while other sports went down and up, football has stood firmly at the top.
“Often this is the opportunity to display their talent and from these tournaments players (go on to) represent the country and it has happened. If we’re going to make footballers of high quality we are going to have to do more,” he said.
Anthony added that there was a need for tournaments at all age groups and from this the need for more football players will be satisfied and he called for the promotion of better organized competitions like that of the Kashif and Shanghai tournament.
Treasurer of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Aubrey Henry and Chief Executive Officer of Linmine Horace James were on the same note congratulating the organization for reaching their 19th consecutive year with the tourney. He also thanked the organization for making Linden the home of the tourney.
At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, the traditional cake sticking was done between Director and Co-director of the K&S organization Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major and Kashif Mohammed.