The Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) Organisation officially launched its 20th football extravaganza with a gala reception at the Duke Lodge Friday evening where they made it pellucidly clear that the tournament was here to stay.
“Nothing, of course, would have been possible without the passion and the loyalty of the football fans from across the country; to the fans from Linden where it all started; to those in the far–flung regions of this vast country of ours; I want to say a heartfelt thank you for being part of our tournament,” said Kashif Muhammad during his feature address to gathering.
“We are grateful, particularly grateful, for having been part of the lives of so many people for so many years. We would like to think that in the course of those years we have transformed many lives and contributed to the development of sport in general and football, in particular, in our country,” he added.
The K&S tournament started in 1990 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground (MSC) in Linden and grew to become more than just a football tournament in the community.
To date it is the biggest football event in the country.
“Over the years, the Kashif and Shanghai Organization have provided what has consistently been the biggest tournament of its kind in Guyana. The tournament has afforded young men from various parts of the country, including the interior of Guyana, the opportunity to display their skills on a highly competitive national stage,” Muhammad said.
He added that the tournament has brought to Guyana teams from Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Antigua and the United States and as an organization they have been instrumental in securing playing contracts for Guyanese players in the semi-professional league in Trinidad and Tobago.
Muhammad said he believes that the tournament has helped to develop the skills that have formed part of the successful Golden Jaguars team and that the K&S has done its fair share for football in Guyana.
“One of our goals has been to establish closer ties with our neighbors, Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname.
“Brazil, particularly, the world’s unquestioned powerhouse in this great game has been one of our targets.”
Meanwhile, special mentioned was made of Banks DIH Limited who has been with the tournament for the past 20 years.
Banks DIH has the distinction of being the first company to sponsor the tournament.
“We have also benefited from the personal support of His Excellency the President. Rather than simply assign responsibility to the subject Ministry, President Jagdeo has met with us, year after year, offering his personal encouragement, facilitating annual material contributions to the event and publicly identifying with the tournament,” said Muhammad as he spoke about the relationship between his organisation and the Guyana government.
Present at the night’s proceedings was Minister responsible for Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, who spoke of his admiration for Muhammad and partner Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major for enduring the test of times and still being able to bring football fans a well-run tournament.
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Gerry Gouveia, also spoke of his appreciation at seeing a football tournament run with excellence for the past 20 years adding that the organisation was setting a good example for young entrepreneurs.
The biggest announcement of the night came when Muhammad said: “Ladies and Gentlemen it is my distinct honour, my privilege to announce that the Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony for the 20th annual K&S Football tournament will be the Brazilian legend, the unquestioned king of football, the man christened Edison Arantes do Nascimento but known to the world as Pele’”
The tournament is expected to have a festive opening at the Guyana National Stadium on December 13th, but the teams and other logistics would be made known next Saturday when the fixtures for the 20 team tournament would be drawn.
The 20 participating teams are:
Bakewell Topp XX, Milerock United, Netrockers, Eagles United, BK International Western Tigers, Fruta Conquerors, Pele, Sunburst Camptown, GDF, Riddim Squad, N/A United, Victoria Kings, Buxton United, Rusal, Seawall United, Rosignol United, Ann’s Grove United, Grove-Hi-Tech, Santos and Alpha United.
