Massive plans in store including deal with Sports Company
-better prices promised
TO commence a tournament from the foundation and 21 years later still have it going strong is not an easy task, but according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) Organisation Kashif Muhammad, it gets sweeter and sweeter as the years go by despite the economic struggles. “It’s really interesting to know that 21 years ago, we commenced this tournament and here we are today, trying to increase everything we have started as the years go by, including giving the public a much better tournament than the previous one” stated Muhammad.
He was at the time, highlighting to Chronicle Sport some of the plans that is within the pipelines for this year’s tournament, which he promises will be better than last year’s, even though it will be difficult to top the presence of King Pele.
“We had a very successful President’s Cup last week and right now we are jumping full strength into the 21st edition of our tournament which has been a marquee one on the local football calendar, with teams playing to the best of their ability with the view of gaining our attention to play in our tournament which is for all of Guyana.
This year, we are trying our best to make the tournament its beautiful self as always in comparison to the past 20 years where we have been doing a splendid job. We have a beautiful vision and a wonderful team of professionals behind it” said Muhammad.
He added; “I think that is one of the reasons why we have been successful. But as we go along, we will be looking to embrace other professional persons to assist in making this tournament a further success, as it is our vision to do so as the years go by, making the present tournament better than the previous one.”
While Muhammad was not hesitant to outline the plans for this year’s tournament, he expressed a sad look for a brief moment when he mentioned all the deals have not been sealed for the 21st edition of the tournament.
“We cannot say completely we have sealed this deal or that deal, or that we will be having a King Pele here for this tournament up to today. First of all, it will be difficult to top King Pele as he is the greatest player of the sport and being able to bring him here for our 20th anniversary was the high point of our tourney.
I think luck was with us to have King Pele grace us with his presence last year and this year, we have a number of options from which to choose from, including have a couple foreign teams who have indicated their intentions to participate in the tournament, do so.”
He continued, “We are trying to work things out with these teams, while on the other hand we are looking at having an international match in comparison to the one between the Golden Jaguars and T&T’s Soca Warriors, along with a fantastic concert, for which we are teaming up with HJTV in making this a reality.”
Muhammad said the organisation who was also tasked with organizing Guyana’s return 2010 World Cup qualifying match against Suriname at the Guyana National Stadium (GNS) two years ago, is presently working on sealing a deal with a top sports company.
“We are working on sealing the deal with a top Sports Company in making them a platinum sponsor of the tournament and once this is being achieved, it will be an excellent boost for the tournament not only for this year, but the years ahead as they are looking at a long term contract with us in excess of five years.”
The smile returned to his face when he mentioned more teams including Bartica who has met the organizations’ requirements, will be involved in this year’s tournament whose opening and finals will occur at the GNS.
With a view of decentralising the tournament’s matches, fixtures will be set for Enmore on the East Coast of Demerara, Blairmont, the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground in Linden and the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground.
“We are trying to increase almost everything we do, including the prize money, so definitely there will be better prizes promised as we are discussing same, but as you know, that can only happen once we secure the right sponsorship as it is not a fly by night process.
Muhammad said they are also in discussion with CONCACAF and CFU president Austin ‘Jack’ Warner and an official from Brazil, with regards to having an international soccer star grace these shores for the opening of the tournament.”
With the inclusion of foreign teams, this year’s tournament will be streamed live via the internet through the kind compliments of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company’s (GT&T) Emagine broadband internet services.
“This move will enable supporters of those foreign teams as well as the tournament throughout the football Diaspora, to follow the progress of their teams.
We have confirmed an international artiste for the show, but I will not disclose whom it is at this point. All in all, a much bigger and better Kashif and Shangai tournament is being planned for the 21st birthday, as we seek to get better all the time” said Muhammad.