Latest update November 9th, 2024 1:00 AM
Feb 18, 2015 Sports
New dates but same excitement and quality exhorted
By Michael Benjamin
They have combined football knowledge with business acumen to transform a four-team village scrubby into one of the largest national football tournaments but the mercurial underpinnings within the (football)
fraternity have forced the principals of the Kashif and Shanghai Entertainment group to recoil while restructuring their thoughts with a view of reinstating the tournament to its rightful number one position.
The recent installation of the (FIFA) Normalization Committee (NC) has restored the sport to a semblance of normalcy and Kashif Mohamed and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, the brains behind the organization, is set to re-launch their ‘baby’ with much pomp and ceremony.
And so it was that (sports) media operatives were summoned to Club 704, Lamaha and Albert Streets, Georgetown where the K&S principals were joined by Chairman of the NC, Clinton Urling, sponsors and other football affiliates for the grand launch of the 25th edition of the tournament.
The action will kick off on Friday March 20 and conclude with the grand finals at the National Stadium Providence on Sunday April 5. Chairman of the NC, Clinton Urling, also shared the head table with the organizers and was delighted with the positivity of the tournament.
“I am always delighted with tournaments of this nature which is in keeping with the mantra of the NC to oversee the progression of the game,” exhorted Mr. Urling. He also said that the K&S organization adds a fresh dimension to the purported (local) football menu.
Further, we anticipate the inclusion of many international matches on the yearly calendar soon,” intimated Mr. Urling. Mr. Mohamed was ecstatic and promised football fans the high quality that has become synonymous with the tournament.
He also expressed delight to the Chairman and other members of the NC. “Permit me to express delight (on behalf of the K&S organization) for your consideration in making this venture a success. We certainly appreciate the collected quest to ensure that a place was found for the continued staging of what is unquestionably an historic event on the national football calendar,” he said.
Mr. Mohamed relived the memorable years of the tournament’s existence and further acknowledged the input of the many sponsors that have supported the tournament. He mentioned Banks DIH Ltd, one of the original companies even as he acknowledged the input of other entities that have been among the first to support the tournament.
These included Mohammad’s Enterprise, Ansa McAl and Cell Phone Shack among others. Two stalwarts of the sport, Faizal Khan, Arnold Adams, the late Aubrey Henry and Frank ‘English’ Parris were also singled out for their steadfast commitment to the progression of the tournament.
PRO (Ansa McAl) Darshanie Yussuf said that her company has had a five year relationship with the K&S organizers and executives are impressed with the returns. She said that this time around they are sponsoring under the Stag Brand.
“Naturally, I’d like to wish the organizers all the best as we continue to enjoy fruitful relations,” concluded Ms Yussuf. Sixteen teams will vie for the top spot including Alpha United, Pele, Western Tigers, Rhythm Squad, GDF, GFC, Victoria Kings, Mahaica Determinators, New Amsterdam United, Slingerz FC, Den Amstel FC, Grove Hi Tec, Agricola Red Triangle, Winners’ Connection, Hi Stars and Bartica Beacon.
Matches would be played at several venues around Georgetown as well as in the rural areas such as DCC, where the tournament will be officially launched with a march past, Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Uitvlugt and Leonora with the grand finals taking place at the National Stadium, Providence on Sunday April 5.
To date, several business entities have agreed to sponsorship deals including Mohammad’s Enterprise, Ansa McAl, Cell Phone Shack, DDL, HJTV, Church’s Chicken, Sonic Business Services, Club 704 and JGS Telecommunications.
The winning team will cart off two million dollars with the runners up winning half that amount. The third and fourth place 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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