The ‘King of Football’ Edison Arantes do Nascimento for 20th Kashif & Shanghai opening

Nov 08, 2009 Sports

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Tournament officially launched in style at Duke Lodge

By Franklin Wilson

National treasure of Brazil and FIFA’s football Ambassador to the World, also known as “The King of Football” (O Rei do Futebol), Edison Arantes do Nascimento, will be the guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the 20th edition of the annual Kashif and Shanghai tournament.
This announcement was made by Co-Director of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation Kashif Muhammad at the official launch of the year end extravaganza and Guyana’s number one tournament which has now become an institution.
Muhammad, in making the announcement in his feature remarks at the gala launch held at Duke Lodge and attended by Honorable Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, Guyana Football Federation President Colin Klass, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Captain Gerry Gouveia and Sales and Marketing Director of Banks DIH Carlton Joao among others, said that their organization was very delighted to have such an icon visit Guyana for the opening.
The gathering was informed that Dr. Anthony was the mastermind in making King Pele’s visit a reality. Guyana’s Ambassador to Brazil, Harry Narine Nowbatt also played a part while Captain Gerry Gouveia will lend Technical guidance to the logistics of Pele’s visit.
A total of 20 teams will compete in this year’s competition which will be played at five (5) venues across Guyana kicking off on Sunday December 13th at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
The teams named are defending champions Pele, Alpha United, Sunburst Camptown, BK International Western Tigers, Fruta Conquerors, Guyana Defence Force, Santos and Riddim Squad from the City. Headlining the teams from the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden is Five-time champions Bakewell Topp XX, Milerock, Eagles United, Netrockers and Rusal. East Demerara’s challenge will be led by former champions Victoria Kings, Buxton United and Ann’s Grove.
Coming from the Ancient County of Berbice are New Amsterdam United and Rosignol United. Seawall FC of West Demerara and Grove Hi Tec of East Bank Demerara round out the twenty teams.
The venues are the Guyana National Stadium Providence which will host matches on December 13th, 25th, 28th and the grand final on January 1st, 2010. Mackenzie Sports Club ground (December 19 & 26), Georgetown Football Club ground (December 15 & 23), Enmore Community Centre ground (December 18) and the Blairmont Community Centre ground on December 20th.
Dr. Anthony in his remarks while complimenting Kashif and Shanghai for what he believed is a great milestone also challenged them to raise the bar further in the coming years. “I want to see your entity also getting into a stronger developmental programme. We need to have more professional clubs; we need to set the bar where people who have worked in these clubs can be paid a decent and respectable salary.”
“One of the hallmarks and achievements of your organisation is that not only did you provide a national stage for people to play football at the highest level but you have been able expose many of our players to international football and because of that we are able to see some of those players playing abroad.”
The gathering was reminded of the Government’s continued support for football and President Jagdeo’s enduring love for the sport.
Minister Anthony challenged that more needs to be done for the sport in Guyana and it cannot be achieved by one or two entities but it would take team work to achieve it. “As a collective we have to work together to ensure that this happens. This is one of the most popular games in the world, yet we have not been able to maximize the benefits of what football can bring to this country. We need to sit together and to make sure it happens. What has happened in the past with football perhaps we can say that that is history but if we’re going to move football into the 21st Century how it is currently organised, this cannot be the way.”
A proper developmental plan must be put in place Dr. Anthony encouraged while noting that it’s not just the responsibility of the GFF but all must come together and work to put such a programme in place.
He said that a strong football programme must be a part of the school system, “Because you need a feeder programme to make sure that we can have players coming from different levels and moving up.”
GFF boss Colin Klass in his remarks acknowledged that the tournament (Kashif & Shanghai) has brought much pride and entertainment to Guyana over the years where clubs are given the opportunity to showcase their talent.
Klass reminded the gathering that the business community also gets the opportunity to use the best vehicle (football) in the world to market and advertise their products. “We all benefit in some way from the greatest sport in the world, football.”
While highlighting the fact that Kashif and Shanghai has set a bench mark for all promoters to follow, Klass bemoaned the frequency of indiscipline and violence that has plagued the sport recently. “Football is about fair play and we need to demonstrate that whether on or off the field – administrators, players, spectators, friends, we all need to adhere to the rules.”
Klass condemned the recent incident that took place at the Tucville ground while calling on all involved to take back control or all might suffer the damnation that indiscipline brings.
Carlton Joao, representing Banks DIH who has the distinction of being the first sponsor of the tournament from its inception to the tune of $4,000, noted that since the inaugural year the relationship with the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation has been a wonderful one.
“We at Banks DIH would like to wish this organisation every success and at the same time we are recommitting ourselves as a company to continuous support for this mega tournament.”
Captain Gouveia hailed the dynamic duo (Kashif & Shanghai) for their sterling contributions to the sport in Guyana.
He said that there seems to be a lot of misconceptions about the administrative structure of the sport in Guyana but noted that all must work with the governing body.
“The government could do whatever they want Kashif and Shanghai could do whatever they want, but if you don’t work with the Football Federation then you’re not getting anywhere internationally.”
Gouveia stated that the players must be taken care of and the federation must be supported. “We need to work with the democracy of this federation I believe and if it’s not working let’s fix it. We need to work with the present structure we’ve got, because this is the only way we are going to move to the next level and eventually, one day at World Cup.”
He cautioned that if all involved do not work together, we would be doing a great injustice to the young players across Guyana and robbing them of an opportunity to create a future for them.

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