Letter to the Sports Editor…A desperate attempt at recapturing support for Kashif and Shanghai

Nov 13, 2012 Sports

Dear Editor,
It is clear as day that the notorious ‘Letter Factory’ which has firmly implanted its tentacles in our nation’s newspapers, via relentless operatives, has begun to whip up what would soon be revealed as a bold-faced attempt by a concealing outfit to recapture support for the Kashif & Shanghai Football Tournament.
Yes, they’re now tackling (no pun intended) sporting activities. Letters published in the Sport section of the Kaieteur News on Monday, November 5, and curiously printed side by side, are clear evidence that those associated with the event are in panic mode and somehow unable to break free of the arrogant techniques that typified their iron-fisted grip of the yearend football activities for so long – supported by their high level connections.
Their accustomed ‘our way or no way’ approach was not only challenged last year, but brought to an humiliating end by the birth of the Banks Beer Knockout Cup, a delivery that was justly embraced and supported by thousands of football fans countrywide.
It was as if a new Saviour had come to salvage the local game from the clutches of those who for twenty-plus years felt no obligation to tangibly put back into the sport a fraction of what they had earned during that shamelessly self-serving period.
One of the aforementioned letters under the caption “What is Banks DIH Interest”, in my humble opinion, ought not to have been published, even though contributors to the newspaper in whatever form have a right to offer their views. However, at the same time, Editors have a right to pay particular attention to what is rational content that will be satisfactorily digested by readers, and not give space to letters that are baseless and only serve to highlight the deficiency within the specific structure of the news organisation.
Just to give an example of the abject nonsense that was written and I quote, “I am quite amazed that Banks DIH Ltd is into promoting football, who will benefit.”
If that is not absurd, then what is? The leading local beverage company is not into the promotion of football, but rather a sponsor and outstanding patron of the sport.
The writer then mentions in the following paragraph that he or she is not against them sponsoring such activities (Banks Beer KO Cup) since it is good for business and public relations, but not of that magnitude.
The fact of the matter is that the writer has to make up his or her mind as to whether the Company is a sponsor or a promoter of the event, while there are many more instances of absolute unfairness.
It was the same Banks DIH that supported the same duo (Kashif and Shanghai) throughout the years, before they decided to switch allegiance to a foreign company, a development that many felt was the beginning of the end for them, coupled with the perceived audacity to display alliance to a particular political party at a very sensitive time in a deeply polarized society.
All the rambling – about how convenient it is to transport beverages in cans as against the bottles that Banks DIH offer, and the Company’s attempt to get back at an organisation that received unmitigated support from them for two decades, not to mention it was them who gave the K&S outfit more and more each year in terms of finance and logistical support – are conspicuous diversionary tactics that will not derail the tournament nor deter fans from embracing the Banks Beer KO Cup once again.
The other article – published on the same day (so much for inside connections) – captioned, ‘GFA executive overstepping its boundary’ sees the writer asking about the suitability of the facilities in Georgetown to host matches, citing lack of or inadequate seating accommodation, and matches being played at grounds where fans could be mugged.
First, let me admit that much more needs to be done to encourage more fans to come out to see football, but when preference is given to a “chosen few” to use a facility (National Stadium) that taxpayers’ money has built, then there is little alternative left but to use what is available. Last year supplied ample evidence that fans were not prepared to be daunted or denied the opportunity to offer their support for the Banks Beer tournament which concluded with little if any hiccups.
For the record, the K&S Organisation, as well as the governing body, has also been known to organize matches at the same venues that the letter writer so ill-advisedly attempts to berate.
It is another dramatic manifestation of the ‘Letter Factory’ being full of writers, but lacking the necessary wisdom to argue constructively to sway fans on behalf of their masters.
The arguments are simply not compulsive enough to instigate an iota of consideration as to which tournament should enjoy the loyalty of football fans.
Year after year, during the latter quarter, we are bombarded by daily doses of meaningless presentations to the K&S organizers. Everyone remained silent until last year. The newspapers, especially Kaieteur, are warming up again. This must stop.
I have often harnessed a long held suspicion that internal forces at Kaieteur News, with close ties to the K&S Organisation, may have sufficient influence to get such articles published, many of which deviate from the real issues, but are given prominence in the newspaper. The absurd articles on November 5th have gone past the limit.
Shawn Collins

Editor’s Note:
Mr Shawn Collins has argued a case for Banks’ involvement in the GFA Cup while chastising articles written supporting the Kashif and Shanghai Football tourney.  Kaieteur News welcomes anyone to share their view on any matter, in this case sports (football), without being libelous or defamatory.
It is our right, position and service to give everyone a fair say. Banks and the GFA too have had their fair share of publicity from sponsorship events. But for Mr Collins to accuse members of the KN Sports department of being in allegiance with and treating K&S favourably, then to suggest that we carry baseless letters and insinuating it borders around intellectual deficiency, is extremely distasteful.
You Sir, is being afforded space in this newspaper, why shouldn’t anyone else air their views, however baseless you may feel.  One famous quote I remember from the Desiderata is; “Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.”