Eight under-13 teams will vie for honours in the Chico Kashif and Shanghai Junior Football Tournament, scheduled for December 22 to January 1, 2013.
This was disclosed at a press conference held at the Edward B Beharry and Company Limited Head Office, Charlotte Street.
As the main sponsor of the tournament, named for one of its principals—Chico Beharry—the Beharry company will contribute $1.25 million.
The teams identified are: Marian Academy, North Georgetown Primary, West Ruimveldt Primary, Beterverwagting Primary, Grove Primary, Company Road Primary (Buxton) and Uitvlugt Primary. The competition will be played in a round robin fashion. According to co-organiser of the tournament Kashif Muhammad, the participating teams will each receive a full playing kit along with other football equipment. He added that prizes will include trophies, computers and school texts.
“We are not [giving] prize money [to] the children, we are giving the prizes in the form of trophies, football equipment [and so on],” Muhammad said. Prizes will be awarded to first, second, third and fourth places, along with fair play, most valuable player, best goalkeeper, best defence player, best midfield player, and most goals scored.
Edward B Beharry and Company Limited Chairman Anand Beharry said the company had been on board with Kashif and Shanghai for the last five years and was pleased to be back on board.
“What we decided to do was sponsor growth through youth involvement. That’s why we decided to get our youths involved so we could play a corporate role in preparing our youth for the next level,” Beharry stated.
“We need to foster our talent at the grassroots stage here in Guyana and that’s what we are hoping this is the beginning of. So with that in mind we have decided to sponsor this tournament.
“We are hoping that this will foster some sort of youth league throughout the years which will culminate with the K&S being a championship tournament that’s where I would like to see it.”
Muhammad said the tournament would have been played in Linden also if the McKenzie Sports Club ground were available. He said it will go to Linden next year, as long as the ground is available. He encouraged teachers, parents and other organisations to support the junior tournament, since it is one that will give the youths a chance to showcase their talents.
The tournament opens with a grand march past by the participating teams on December 22 at the Georgetown Football Club ground at 3 pm.
Teams will be briefed on the FIFA rules under which the tournament will be played and teams and players will be expected to adhere to the FIFA protocols associated with football tournaments.
