Captains of the triumphant teams in the Chico/Kashif & Shanghai Elite Next Generation Football Tournament which kicked off on Sunday, Adasa Campbell (East Ruimveldt) Secondary and Darren Pellew (Ann’s Grove Secondary) described playing in the annual fixture as “a dream come true.”
“Every young Guyanese footballer dreams of playing in the Kashif and Shanghai (K and S) tournament and for me on Sunday it was a dream come true” said Campbell yesterday, whose side came from 1-3 down to stun Wisburg Secondary 3-2 on penalties.
The defender who also plays for Fruta Conquerors also stated that he “would like to thank the Kashif and Shanghai Organisa-tion for doing this for the schools because we will be exposed at a younger age and we will be more experienced if we get to play for the national team.”
Campbell who was instrumental in leading his charges to the comeback victory which earned the East Ruimveldt ball weavers a quarterfinal berth also revealed that it was an honour playing in front of his classmates, parents and teachers at the world famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground.
Pellew who fired in a double in his side’s nine-one drubbing of Christ Church, echoed similar sentiments to Campbell.
In the quarterfinal round of the 24th edition of the annual tournament which before this year was held for the senior ball clubs, East Ruimveldt will tackle St. George’s High on December 19 while Ann’s Grove will lock horns with Bladen Hall on Christmas Day.
Meanwhile, co-founder of the K and S Organisation, Kashif Muhammad told Stabroek Sport that the tournament’s opening was “colourful and splendid.”
Muhammad also said that the “youngsters are very excited about the tournament” and that he was pleased with the quality of play displayed by Ann’s Grove and East Ruimveldt’s grit.
He also reminded that the tournament’s action will continue tomorrow at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground with another double header. In the first game at 16:00hrs, North Georgetown Secondary will tackle Patentia Secondary, while Charlestown Secondary will take on Lodge Secondary two hours later. The winner of the tournament will pocket a record $1.2M in cash of which 75% will go towards a project identified by the school.
As customary, the grand finale will be staged on January 1 at the Providence National Stadium.
