Guyana’s football neighbouring powerhouse Brazil will once again be in the spotlight when the 21st edition of the annual Kashif and Shanghai Christmas Football Festival kicks off this evening at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.
With the tournament receiving the stamp of approval from Brazilian and world football legend King Pele who visited Guyana last year, the organisers have turned to another Brazilian source, this time the Atletico Football team to spice up the opening night.
Atletico of the bordering state of Roraima, will square off with a Guyana All Stars in the feature game of a double header card.
Kashif Mohammed, Director of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation told Stabroek Sport yesterday that all systems are in place for Guyana’s mega football tournament.
The prevailing inclement weather has had little impact on the preparations for the festival and, according to Mohammed, the stage is set for what is expected to be an enthralling tournament.
“We met with the Guyana Police Force today (yesterday) to finalise the security arrangements, the teams are in place, the ball boys are in place and all systems are in place for the start of the tournament, Mohammed said.
The Brazilian side arrived in Guyana on Thursday and held practices at Independence Park on Friday and the National Stadium yesterday ahead of their clash with the Guyana All Stars side, which features several of the finest footballers to have represented the Land of many waters. The side will include former national captain Charles “Lilly” Pollard, Randolph Jerome, Nigel “Powers” Codrington, Dwain Jacobs, Cary Harris, Ronson Williams, Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson, Anthony “Awo” Abrams, Devon Millington, Dwight Peters and Travis “ Zorro” Grant who have all served Guyana with distinction.
National head coach Wayne “Wiggy” Dover will be in charge of the squad.
The match will be in honour of Pollard and the diminutive former national striker Collie Hercules who is now an assistant national coach.
The Brazilian 21-man side will include Bruno Ribeiro de Souza, Nailson Holanda, Luiz Paulo de Lima Castro, Fernando Arujo, Rodrigo Besuska, Robson de Lima, Raylson Pinheiro De Carvalho and Tiago Carlos Brito with Perrico being the coach.
The programme will get cracking with a feature match between the National Under-20 squad taking on the Upper Demerara Under-23 in the first game at 17:00 hours to be followed by the match past of the competing teams.
According to Mohammed, only three teams will be exempted from the match past and that will be Caribbean United and the teams from New Amsterdam and Bartica.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony is expected to take the salute at the march past at 19:00 hours and that will be followed by the main game at 20:15 hours, Mohammed said.
Twenty teams including defending champions BK International Western Tigers will battle for a first prize of $2 million plus other incentive prizes.
The teams are Riddim Squad, Liquid Gold of Bartica, Buxton United, Net Rockers, Buxton Stars, Fruta Conquerors, Victoria Kings, Ann’s Grove, Bakewell Topp XX, Santos, New Amsterdam United, Seawalls of West Demerara, Guyana Defence Force, Rosignol United, Alpha United, Sunburst Camptown, Pele, Milerock and Caribbean United.
Riddim Squad will do battle with Liquid Gold while Western Tigers will start their defence against Buxton United at the Georgetown Football Club ground with the first game planned for 18:00 hours.
Matches will also be played at Enmore Community Centre ground, Uitvlugt in West Demerara, Blairmont in West Berbice, Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden with the grand final set for January 1, 2011 at the National Stadium.
