The departure of the Kashif and Shanghai final

Dec 15, 2008 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,
When I saw in the SN, October 5th, captioned, “decision to be made on venue for finals”, and in the October 26th issue, Kashif Muhammed saying: “In a nutshell we have been unable to offer fans and players an environment befitting the finals of a prestigious football tournament”, I was not least surprised.

In the Kaieteur News publication, “Linden the brainchild of initiatives” (21-3-05) I said “… it will, in the not-too-distant future, say goodbye to the staging of the finals… it is inevitable, it is just a matter of time.

“This event has taken a quantum leap, and at the completion of the National Stadium, the organisers will certainly not be governed by sentiments. Better facilities and accommodation will be key factors, financial returns among other things.” There! Well, as we all know, nothing is permanent except change, be it for good or bad.

But when I become aware that it was imminent, when, like most Lindeners, I heard it through the grapevine – since it had become the buzz of the town everywhere you go among sporting enthusiasts, that their “bags were packed and ready to go”, some things started to creep through my mind. There were some who reflected with sadness on the removal of the finals. Why should it be? This community of their birth, not only did it give birth also to this grand event, but the community suckled them as babes, sustained them through the years and watched their metamorphosis from flyweight into heavyweights. How could they now, “slam bam thank you ma’am?”

These two ‘brothers’, Kashif and Shanghai, know the community and its people, they were nurtured by it, they know the economic situation and the economic enhancement this main sporting event on our calendar brings – even though briefly. It gives some a good business start into the New Year, people have become endeared to it; like Christmas, they look out for it and they plan and make calculations /projections up front.

In terms of attendance, this event has always had the McKenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground bursting at its seams. It transforms the town into a form of carnival, with invasion from all parts of this country and overseas.

Lindeners overseas come home in droves for this event as they do for Christmas. This is why I found it amusing when Mr. Mohammed said “…the MSC have seen attendance reduced by more than 33% over the years”! “Cramped and substandard facilities” Yes! Reduced attendance No!

I saw in part a TV programme in which the Kashif/Shanghai executive invited a number of personalities and other stakeholders to present their case, and it was sad and leaves one to wonder why the executives of the MSC – prime stakeholders — did not see it fit to be present and inform the public of their role/position.

This was an inexcusable absence. However, at that meeting, Mr. Muhammed informed the public of an extensive and elaborate expansion/modification undertaking to the tune of approximately $140-150 million that was proposed.

What a pity this wasn’t done some years ago. As I said before, this move has been a long time coming. Kashif/Shanghai was not between a rock and a hard place, as was stated, for the placing of this final; this was well thought out and settled a long time ago.

Indeed, many of the reasons/accusations given at that meeting were/are valid, and the MSC must take the flogging for it. The MSC facilities have been in a deplorable state, below acceptable standards, for far too long. The writing was on the wall, how come they (executives) couldn’t see it, it was imperative that something be done. (There has since last year been some improvements in the toilet facilities, with the help of Linden Economic Advancement Project (LEAP).

Foreign-based Lindeners, upon returning home, are forever complaining how scandalous the facilities/conditions of the MSC in its entirely are, and the executives need to do much better to improve the image of this club, which former West Indian cricketer Basil Butcher once remarked, was among the best in the Caribbean that he had seen. The claim is also made that the game has outgrown the community.

Yet, if these plans as outlined by Kashif were done, then the transferring of the final would have proved more challenging. The MSC is the Mecca of sports in Linden, it is the community ground, our landmark, and the executives need to understand that and act accordingly.

And while I do admire the ability of Kashif /Shanghai to organise/manage, I need also to mention what two concerned well known personalities have said to me. They said that the ultimate intention of Kashif/Shanghai is to have sole, total, uninterrupted control of the management of the MSC – the de facto executives, through a subtle scheme of things. Whatever, but one cannot deny that these brothers are doers/fighters who get things off the ground, even as same with a bit of jealousy claimed that they receive extensive and generous sponsorships and contributions.

 But it is to their credit that they have pledged to do some things for the Linden football enthusiasts to compensate for the change, though I still somehow harbour a suspicion that we will eventually see the return of the final – soon.

Well, as the song says, “parting is hard, it hurts to see you go,” but the die is cast and life goes on; so, too, Linden folks must move on. “When one door is closed another is opened”. And while Lindeners can take some pride and comfort in being the initiators of great events that have become national events, they should also by now become accustomed to desertion –”Mash”, “Town Day”, “Kashif/Shanghai”, “Fish Festival” are all Linden initiatives.

The town will not die; people will survive, everything is going to eventually work out fine.
And may I extend best wishes to those two ‘brothers’ – organizers — and commend them for their endurance.

Frank Fyffe

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