“We refuse to roll over and die, we will not go quietly into the night.”
That was the sentiment expressed by Kashif Mohammed, Executive Director of the Kashif and Shanghai Organization at the opening of the 18th annual Kashif and Shanghai football tournament at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground Sunday night.
Delivering the opening remarks at the marquee event on the football calendar in Guyana and playing under the theme “Stamp it Out”, Mohammed expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Bharatt Jagdeo for his timely intervention. Mohammed also expressed gratitude to the sponsors, the fans and most importantly the players who are participating in the competition.
“I still experience a special high whenever I perform this duty even after 17 years of doing so. I know within my heart that you the fans and supporters are still behind this tournament. Many thought this day would not come, but it is here. Special thanks to the President, the sponsors, fans of football and you the players, we owe a great deal to them.”
Mohammed stated to those gathered including Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, Minister of Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Regional Chairman of Region 10, Mortimer Mingo and president of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Brian Joseph, that “Football is bigger than Kashif and Shanghai and as long as we are around, there will always be this tournament for you the fans and players of football.”
Minister Anthony in his feature address congratulated the dynamic duo for their perseverance and never-say-die attitude even when faced with stumbling blocks leading up to the run off of the competition.
“Your hard work and total commitment has paid off handsomely. You journeyed on where others would have stopped. Congratulations to you for the hard work you displayed to ensure that this tournament would have been staged this year despite the circumstances leading up to same. You have showed us what hard work and commitment can do.
“Football in Guyana has grown from strength to strength since the invention of this competition. Just look at the feats achieved by our national team over the years. What I would love to see, is a training programme put in place, where our sportsmen and women can improve their performances in their various sporting disciplines that will better serve them in the future and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports would like to extend our hand to the various associations to get this programme on stream and make it a success,” Anthony added.
Joseph also addressed the players and fans of football, declaring that the UDFA was proud to be the host association of the 18th instalment of the tournament, adding that the UDFA would be giving the organization 100% support in its endeavour to make the competition a success.
Prior to the addresses, the 16 teams taking part in this year’s competition participated in a march past, with debutants Bakewell Buxton Stars winning for themselves a trophy and an undisclosed cash prize for being the best team on parade.
In the exhibition games that were played, Georgetown and Upper Demerara under-17 teams played to a 0-0 draw, whilst an Upper Demerara Combination side displayed brilliant ball control in all areas on the field to defeat the NAMILCO All Stars by a 2-0 margin in the night’s feature game with goals off the boot of Trinidad-based Carey Harris (22nd) and Jermaine Adams (82nd).
The margin of victory would have been wider were it not for some brilliant goalkeeping from GDF’s Keith Fraser between the uprights for NAMILCO All Stars, coupled with poor finishing from the Upper Demerara forwards with Adams committing the cardinal sin twice when faced with Fraser alone.
The NAMILCO All Stars failed to put together passes and after fighting hard to gain possession would easily relinquish same with some poor and inaccurate passes as they attempted to break down the Upper Demerara defence.
The times they were able to do so, custodian Oswald Benjamin showed he was no pushover between the uprights with some brilliant saves. One such effort brought a huge roar of “boo” from the vociferous crowd on hand. Shortly after Adams scored the second goal for his team, substitute Elvis Phillips was faced with a one-on-one situation with Benjamin on the left of the field just at the top of the 18-yard box. Benjamin left his goal, reducing the angle and forcing Phillips to take a shot which he dutifully did to the left of the ‘keeper.
He was to be denied as he stood and watched in amazement as Benjamin in catlike fashion flung himself to the left and pulled off a brilliant save, one that would have brought him the play of the match prize if only such were available.
The competitive part of the tournament for the first prize of $750,000.00, a trophy and replicas will begin tomorrow with a double header at the MSC ground from 1800h. Football fans will get their appetite whetted when Santos Football Club takes on Amelia’s Ward United while Silver Shattas opposes Western Tigers from 20:30h.
