Two-time champions Fruta Conquerors will officially participate in the 25th edition of the Kashif and Shanghai football tournament, replacing relative newcomers Bartica Beacons.
Initially left out of the event alongside Sunburst Camptown and Santos, the Tucville giants will become the seventh team from under the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) umbrella to feature in the event.
In an invited comment, Co-Director of the promotion group Aubrey Major said:“We are not making any contact with the Bartica team management. We can’t wait on them so we decided to bring Conquerors in because they are the next senior team in the Georgetown League.”
Fruta Conquerors President Wayne Forde said:“Fruta Conquerors welcome any opportunity to play football. We were given a very constructive explanation as what led to our initial omission from the event lineup.
“We had taken it in good faith and we are now pleased that the Kashif and Shanghai organization has seen it fit to revisit the issue. We are going to give our outmost to the tournament and will bring a high level of competitiveness.”
Fruta Conquerors were crowned champions during the 2002/2003 and 2004/2005 periods, defeating Western Tigers 1-0 and St. Lucia unit Dennery 4-1 respectively. They would also finish in the silver medal position, losing to Topp XX 3-1 in the earlier 1999/2000 period.
The event, which is set to commence March 20 and conclude April 5, will feature 16 clubs from various associations competing in a traditional knockout format.
The competing teams are Alpha United, Pele FC, Western Tigers, Riddim Squad, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Fruta Conquerors, Victoria Kings, Mahaica Determinators, New Amsterdam United, Slingerz FC, Den Amstel FC, Grove Hi-Tech, Agricola Red Triangle, Winners Connections and High Stars FC.
Winner of the event will receive the championship trophy and $2,000,000 while the runners-up will collect $1,000,000 and the respective title. The third and fourth placed teams will receive $500,000 and $250,000 respectively with the corresponding accolade.
Meanwhile, automotive accessories giant Auto Fashion joined the long line of sponsors to commit to the 25th edition of the tourney, donating the most valuable player (MVP) package yesterday at their Seaforth Street locale in Campbellville.
Proprietor of the Seaforth Street entity Noel Shewjattan said that this is the 15th year his establishment has been onboard with the longstanding tourney and that his vision is to see the sport evolve and move from strength to strength.
Shewjattan added that his organization will be donating the teams medals as well the most valuable player package (MVP). He also hinted that they were also willing to donate a car for the event to serve as the main prize for the eventual MVP.
He noted the automobile will attract players to the discipline and will inspire them to put their best foot forward as they aim to achieve one of their dreams which is to own their own vehicle. However, he declared that will only be possible if assistance can be acquired with regards to the duty free concession.
Additional sponsors of the event include Ansa McAl under is Stag Beer Brand, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Demerara Distillers Limited under its Pepsi Brand, Church’s Chicken, Cell Phone Shack under its Plum Brand, Hits and Jams Television, Sonic Business Services, Club 704 and JGS Telecommunications.
