Kashif and Shanghai football extravaganza…Rhythm Squad and GFC advance following colourful opening ceremony

Mar 22, 2015 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin
A jovial crowd of ardent supporters were treated to a colourful march past before listening to inspirational words from Government and other sports officials when the opening ceremony of the 25th edition of the Kashif and Shanghai football extravaganza was staged at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, Queenstown, last Friday evening.

The teams were gaily attired and Pele Football Club made the first impression on the tournament when it was adjudged the best team on parade. The other teams competing for the top spot include Alpha United, Western Tigers, Rhythm Squad, GFC, Victoria Kings, Mahaica Determinators, New Amsterdam United, Slingerz FC, Den Amstel FC, Grove Hi Tec, Agricola Red Triangle, Winners’ Connection, Hi Stars, Ann’s Grove and Bartica Beacon.
Activities got underway with the first of two matches that saw the encounter between Rhythm Squad and New Amsterdam United dwindling down to extra time after 90 minutes of intense play failed to produce a winner. The former team then surged ahead 2-0 during this period following successes by Rishawn Sandiford (93+3) and Rollex Smith (90+13). Later in the evening, the Georgetown Football Club and Den Amstel also battled to a 2-2 stalemate during regulation time and even extra time failed to separate them forcing a penalty shootout. Kurd Johnson was responsible for both of GFC’s goals during regulation time (2:38) while Den

Amstel’s marksmen during this period were Delon Lanferman (16) and Jamal Harvey (86). The match was then decided on penalties with GFC prevailing 2-1.
In between those two matches 16 teams paraded before government officials, K&S executives and the bigwigs of the Normalization Committee. One of the K&S Directors, Kashif Muhammad, said that he was energized by the healthy support of fans and corporate citizens. He also acknowledged the support of patrons and corporate bodies that have stuck with the tournament even amidst turbulent times. “Some have not missed a tournament and continue to be the inspiration behind our efforts,” exhorted Mr. Muhammad.
Patron of the tournament, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, delivered brief remarks and recalled the initial days of the tournament in Linden. He reminisced on the challenges and commended the K&S duo for staying on course despite the many challenges.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Frank Anthony welcomed the return of the tournament after a short hiatus and commended the resilience of the organizers. He noted that during that time the group, instead of lamenting, decided to host a youth tournament which served to strengthen the football fraternity. “I have no doubt that the tournament would be a good one,” prophesied the sports Minister.
Chairman of the Normalization Committee, Clinton Irving was also in high praise of the efforts of the K&S group. He said that they hold the distinction of hosting the most prestigious football tournament and their policies and objectives were on par with those of his organization. “Our objective and mantra is to let the game play,” concluded the NC chairman.
President of the DCC, Alfred Mentore, welcomed the tournament to his home and told the gathering that he had quite a task convincing his other executives of the feasibility of hosting football at the venue most noted for cricket matches. “It necessitated lots of hard work but in the end we prevailed,” confessed Mr. Alfred.
There were also presentations by APNU politician, George Norton supported by exhortations of best wishes from Ansa McAl Public Relations Officer, Darshanie Yussuf and DDL representative, Larry Wills. Reverend Simon Harris opened the ceremony with a prayer that beseeched the blessings of the Almighty on the tournament and its smooth running.
Meanwhile, matches would also be played at venues around Georgetown and the rural areas and last night’s action moved over to the Victoria Ground ECD where Pele clashed with Grove Hi Tech moments before Fruta Conquerors and Mahaica Determinators battled in the feature attraction. The results of those encounters would appear in a subsequent issue.
Matches would also be played on the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Uitvlugt and Leonora with the grand finals taking place at the National Stadium, Providence on Sunday April 5.
The winning team will cart off the two million dollars put up by Mohammed’s Enterprise with the runners up winning half that amount. The third and fourth prizes are five hundred thousand and two hundred and fifty thousand dollars respectively. There will also be trophies which will be presented for individual and team performances.

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