Photos by Orlando Charles
Stabroek Sport took to the streets yesterday to ask the ordinary citizen what they thought about the issues surrounding the upcoming Kashif and Shanghai Football Tournament.
David Gibson – self-employed
`I think that the football in Guyana supposed to be more paid, the players are supposed to be paid more money because the Kashif and Shanghai is one of the biggest tournaments in Guyana and I think that the $2 million and so is not enough, I think that Lumumba had the good idea towards the game, putting more money into the sport. If he take his money and invest it into the players, I think he should get back something whereby sports is concerned. It going affect the players psychologically because they thinking ‘bout more money, where their finances are concerned. I think if they exclude Alpha United from the tournament it going affect it a great lot, people go to the Shanghai because of the team that come out and that is one of the best teams in the country.’
Seam Williams – self-employed
`If it wasn’t for Kashif and Shanghai the football would’ve never been so developed in Guyana, Kashif and Shanghai is the main tournament. Odinga have to start it first, with his tournament and then these guys will take it from there with them tournament. I think the tournament will still be big without Alpha United, because due to Kashif and Shanghai Guyanese love football, people does always look forward to Kashif and Shanghai every yearend. But I really feel that they should work things out man.’
Odessa Wills – salon owner
`In my opinion I think that $2 million cash prize is good because even if they play for $4 million none of these teams don’t get more than 30 to 35 thousand when they play regularly and I would say that $2 million is reasonable because most of the money go into the pocket of the team executives so I think the $2 million is good for starters. I don’t think if Alpha United is out it will affect the tournament because this is an every year something and if their team excluded they will have other teams joining, and of course the tournament will go on.’
Ivelaw Burgzorg – former football player
`The footballers right now are underpaid and the sort of money that they are calling for right now it won’t really move the sponsors or the promoters. I think for Lumumba is a good move he make, they should increase the money. But if Alpha United is not in the tournament, it’s still going to happen, Alpha United is just another club, they won’t be missed. But footballers deserve more money, they should increase the money.’
Mark Brown – self-employed
`If the teams spending $1.5 million to prepare then I think it’s justified that they ask for more money, because knowing that you got a lot of players involved the profit is not much to divide. So I think $3 million is justified because of preparation and all of that stuff. If Lumumba got records to show that is $1.5 million he spend in preparation and is not just a figure he calling right, then now he would be able to justify it. Because there is a lot of things are not cheap nowadays and things demand heavy spending, that justifies it. If Alpha United does not participate it would not affect the tournament directly but indirectly it shows the type of system we have in this country and we need the intervention by the Federation. Instead of knocking out the team they should settle it and come to some sort of an agreement.’
Sean Wilkins – self-employed
`The players should get more money, I think that the $2 million that is being offered is not enough. They should have more because players have a lot of expense to prepare for that tournament and is a whole lot of money. And some players they are not even working anywhere they depend on that tournament for cash. I think is right that the players choose not to play.’
John Ellis –
`That money too little bit that them chap playing for, it too little bit. It take a lot of exercise and a lot of things to get physically ready so they need more money, they should add more money, the people too cheap. Because is a lot of work they got to put up, Kashif and Shanghai should put up a bigger money. I don’t think Alpha not being there would affect the tournament, but they should get more money man. And then they move the tournament from Mackenzie, they moving it and they bringing it now to Stadium we don’t want that.’
Joseph Garraway – self-employed
`The sponsors giving them 30 something million dollars, so how the players go play for a $2 million alone, if a guy foot break now is what going happen, $2 million is little bit of money. Kashif and Shanghai should give more money, real thing. Lumumba is very right because that little bit a money can’t do nothing for his team when he share it out, it can’t do one thing. But Alpha not going to affect this tournament, I’m still looking forward to this tournament – I’m not a Alpha fan I’m a Conquerors fan, it’s going to come.’
Kofi Lambert – mini-bus driver
`I think they should put more money because footballers got to get more money when they done play. And they should try their best and get Alpha in the tournament because Alpha is a good team, and they need Alpha there. I’m looking forward to the tournament, Alpha is my team and I would be very disappointed if Alpha is not in the tournament. And this is going to cause a little setback to the tournament, because of all the stupidness going on, people mightn’t want to support the tournament.’
