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King of Football, Pele, is Guest of Honour at King of Football Tournaments
Officials at yesterday’s briefing; from left – moderator Franklin Wilson, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, Kashif Muhammad, Dr. Frank Anthony, Capt. Gerry Gouveia, and GFF’s Colin Klass.
By Michael Benjamin
Twenty years ago the Kashif and Shanghai football tournament was launched at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden with two teams, Eagle’s United FC and Milerock FC battling in the finals for championship honours.
Since then, the administrators have introduced several initiatives to the yearly affair and today, the K&S football extravaganza is undeniably the best organized and successful tournament around these parts.
This year the organizers have outdone themselves and local football fans will have an opportunity of mingling with, arguably the world’s most prolific footballer, Edison Arantes do Nascimento, aka King Pele.
Organizers of the tournament, the Kashif and Shanghai duo, Kashif Muhammad and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, convened a press conference at the Duke Lodge, Duke Street Kingston, yesterday morning to share this exciting news with the media fraternity.
Also in attendance were other major stakeholders the likes of Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Dr. Frank Anthony, Chairman of the Private Sector Capt. Gerry Gouveia and President of the Guyana Football Federation, Colin Klass. Journalist and GFF Vice President, Frankie Wilson moderated the function.
Gouveia is playing a very integral role in the arrival of the world renowned footballer and have already addressed the ramifications pertaining to traveling arrangements.
Pele and a four member delegation depart Sao Paulo on Saturday December 12 for the seven hour journey to Georgetown. The King footballer would then be engaged in a tight schedule that includes a motorcade around the city and meetings with top government functionaries as well as members of the various football clubs.
Kashif Mohamed also revealed that the world renowned footballer would meet with members of the proletariat as he has not lost touch with the common folks.
“My staff has been working assiduously to ensure that all the logistics are in place as we wish to make the 20th Kashif and Shanghai tournament a memorable affair,” said Kashif Muhammad.
He also heaped praise on the efforts of Ambassador Harry Nawbatt for the role he has played in organizing the great footballer’s visit. “Mr. Nawbatt worked tirelessly in this process and he must be highly commended,” Muhammad said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony noted the challenges that Kashif and Shanghai encountered and complimented them on their perseverance.
He noted that Pele’s arrival in Guyana coincides with the efforts of the government to commission the Takatu Bridge. He envisages that the bridge opening would aid in supporting government’s objective of enhanced sports relations between the two countries.
“I would like to relay the support of the government towards this venture,” Minister Anthony reiterated.
President of the GFF, Colin Klass also expressed delight at the achievement of K&S. He noted that the GFF has been integrally involved in administrative matters during the initial years of the tournament. He further admitted that this was seen as a conflict of interest and administrators of the GFF decided to extricate themselves from administrative matters so as to remove any such notions.
Klass then issued a call for the reintroduction of the Brazilian Cup Football tournament where two local clubs, Pele and Santos, both named after the renowned footballer, benefited immensely from participation. “We must not only share borders but also cultural experiences,” said Klass.
The Kashif and Shanghai tournament gets underway at the National Stadium, Providence on December 13. Pele and Santos would engage in a fierce battle in the opening encounter while Milerock opposes East Bank team, Grove Hi Tec in the other fixture. Admission to this match is $1,000.
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