22nd K&S set to kicks off today at GCC; battle for pound of gold begins

Dec 10, 2011 Sports

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Andrew Arts on board again

The time for talking is over and those who can walk the walk will certainly have to prove that when the 22nd edition of the annual Kashif & Shanghai Football Extravaganza kicks off at the once world famous GCC Ground, Bourda.
Twenty teams will be in contention for the top prize, eighteen from around Guyana and two overseas, T&T’s Pro League side Caledonia AIA and the Barbados based Caribbean United; new champions will be crowned when the dust is settled on January 1, 2012.
Corporate support has been flowing for the organisers with Andrew Arts being the latest to come on board, notching up their 16th year in partnership with the entity.
Set to enlighten the Bourda sward in opening play today from 18:30hrs will be Bartica’s Mill Ballers against Kuru Kururu Warriors making their debut; these two teams will be battling to get into the group-of-16 round with the feature match-up between former champs Pele (2008-2009) and debutants Timehri Panthers; the winner booking a place in the quarterfinals.
Pele undoubtedly is the most capped team on show today as they have made it to the finals on four occasions and will be aiming to go all the way in this year’s edition.
They have the weaponry so to achieve with the likes of ‘Golden Jaguar’ and Puerto Rico Islanders forward Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson leading their bid for the pound-of-gold top prize.
Fellow Jaguar, Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant will control midfield along with Canada based Konata Manning and Dirk Archer. Back to showcase his defensive skills for local fans is Canada based Julian Edwards who made his debut for the ‘Golden Jaguars’ in round two of the FIFA World Cup qualifying competition. He will be marshalling the defence along with the likes of Quincy Adams, Solomon Austin, National Under-23 players Sheldon Holder and Daniel Wilson.
Two more potent forwards in the firing line are Marvin Joseph and Devon Millington with veteran Sean Johnson in charge of goal.
While Pele boasts such a strong line-up on paper, Timehri Panthers will take heart from the fact that they are approaching the game as the underdogs and will be under no pressure as supposed to Pele.
Their quest to record the first upset win of the tournament will be spearheaded by Troy Johnson, Seon David, Collis Messiah, Romel Myles and Orin Tascher. While it will be a monumental task to keep Pele at bay, anything can happen on the day since it will be the same ball and 11 v 11.
The opening salvo between Mill Ballers and Kuru Kururu Warriors will see the winner of this encounter booking a date against Berbice’ Rosignol United in the round-of-16.
Mill Ballers will be aiming to make a big impact since the many teams from Bartica competing over the years have not done as well as they could have done.
They will be banking on the likes of Andre Stoby, Andel Norton, Colin Semple, Andre Chandler, Lindsley Jones, Quacy Jacobs, Goalkeeper – Sean Garraway, Sean Caesar, Shaquille Hopkinson, Andy Bishop, Kevon Dutchin, Dellon Welch, Sherwin John and Kellon Benjamin to see them to their first win.
The Warriors just off a satisfactory season in the East Bank Football Association senior league will depend on Dexroy Adams, Ryan Scott, Cordel Johnson, Shannon Vickery, Marvin Josiah and Custodian Domani Walsh.
The official opening ceremony will commence immediately after the first game and is expected to attract the Honorable Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, Guyana Football Federation President (ag) Franklin Wilson, GT&T’s CEO Yog Mahadeo and Ansa Mc al Trading Marketing Manager Troy Cadogan.
Meanwhile, Mr. Andrew Juman Proprietor of popular business Andrew Arts has maintained his partnership and support for the tournament for the 16th consecutive year. Yesterday, Juman handed over a cheque for an undisclosed amount to Co-Director of the K&S Organisation Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major.
Juman noted that he was more than happy to be continuing his relationship with the organisers of Guyana’s premier tournament which has made a substantial contribution to the overall development of the sport.
He pledged their continued support for many years to come and while wishing the teams and players the best of luck challenged the players to be disciplined and to ensure that the brand of football they play is of a high standard that is appealing and entertaining for the fans.
Major expressed profound gratitude to Juman and all the other sponsors that have partnered with the Organisation to make the 22nd edition of the tournament a success.
And teams participating in the March Past for the opening ceremony are requested to report to the Kenny Wishart Stand at 16:30hrs. However, the four teams today (Pele, Mill Ballers, Timehri Panthers, Kuru Kururu Warriors) are required to report to the playing venue for 16:00hrs.
Following today’s action, competition will continue on Friday also at the GCC Ground with two more matches. BK International Western Tigers face Amelia’s Ward United in feature play with the curtain raiser bringing together Grove Hi Tec and Netrockers.

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