Asks Calvin Roberts
With the 19th annual Kashif and Shangai (K&S) football tournament set to kick off in four days time, Georgetown’s Sunburst Camptown must be looking at their chances in Guyana’s mega football tournament, via a microscope.
Having lost the opportunity to win the Georgetown Football Association’s premier league competition after being the front runners for most of the league Sunburst Camptown must still be kicking themselves for fading in the latter stages of the tournament and allowing nemesis Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United, to successfully defend their crown.
One thing is sure about the team for this year’s Kashif and Shanghai tournament – they will be seeking redemption.
In an invited comment with Stabroek Sport, president of the club Troy Mendonca stated that the club’s chances were as good as any.
He, however added that the team which executed their game plan to the fullest would l be the champions.
“What I recognize with the level of football in Guyana is the ability to organize as a unit on the field of play. To have players who are able to adapt quickly to certain pattern or patterns of play whilst on the field and also execute same is an added bonus to any team.
“Over the past 10 months or so, we have been working towards this and with the cohesion being displayed at the moment, we are going to reach a certain level that is going to take us through this competition,” Mendonca said.
Mendonca also took the time to compliment his team’s performance in the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) sponsored premier league competition, where they narrowly lost out to defending champions Alpha United.
“I don’t want to say that we got complacent in the latter stages of the tournament, whilst at the same time I must give credit to the guys for the hard work they had put in over the past year or so. But having said such, I think that the level of expectancy from our fans was a pressurized pipe waiting to explode.
“You are always faced with the task of representing yourself as a top club and the turning point for us was the games against Pele and Santos, where goals scored via mistakes being made by our defence indicated the mental toughness we were enduring.”
Mendonca, who was captain of the victorious ‘93/94 Kashif and Shangai championship winning Camptown team, before he became an executive with the K&S organization, plans to draw on such for his team in this tournament.
“Having been the captain of that victorious team where I also won two Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards in the tournament, I think that my experience from that as well as being on the executive committee of the K&S organization, I plan to draw on those experiences and at the same time transfer same to the team, which would enable them to come out on top in the tournament.”
He added: ”People may want to know what’s the sudden rise of Sunburst Camptown? The answer is simple. It has to do with the elements of the game that we put together. While it may not look fancy in the eyes of the fans, the players themselves know what is required of them in order for us to get the necessary results at the end of the day.
“If they are not cognizant of that fact, then they can end up getting hurt whilst at the same time the team suffers another loss in some form or the other. The cohesiveness of this team is another factor that weighs heavily in our favour.”
To this effect, Camptown will be looking towards the likes of skipper Orlando Gilgeous, Marvin Joseph, Troy Prescod, Dexter Mollyneaux, Lance Rolston, Nigel Codrington, Telson Mc Kinnon, Rishawn Sandiford and Maurice Prince, just to name a few, to record their third victory in the tournament’s history.
“The experience of Codrington, Prescod, Mc Kinnon and Gilgeous speaks volumes. This is a community-based team and to such an extent the players have a camaraderie amongst themselves which they transfer onto the field and utilize in our strength department,” Mendonca stated.
“That’s one where our strength lies, in our players who have the ability to transfer and display a level of patience on the field. Their ability to understand their respective roles and functions which enables them to compete at the local level is an added strength for us also.”
While he did mention that his team would be utilizing the four guest players to their advantage, Mendonca refused to disclose who his guest players would be.
He did say that they have been identified and are on the register for the tournament.
“Generally, a lot of teams put in an extra effort and time into their football for this tournament and that’s what makes Alpha United a cut above the rest and so dominant in local football. They have key players who are able to step up when it matters and this makes them a well-rounded team.”
Mendonca stated that he was wary of the efforts being put in by teams for this tournament, but at the same time said they would not be taking anybody lightly as it was every club’s dream to win the K&S tournament.
Camptown will begin their quest for a third K&S title when they face Linden’s Eagles United next Friday at the Tucville ground in the first match of a double header.
