… Schools get 3 000 tickets
BREAD and pastry producer Bakewell Industries Limited yesterday renewed its sponsorship to Bakewell Topp XX and Bakewell Buxton Stars, two clubs who will be competing in the upcoming 21st edition of the Kashif and Shanghai Football tournament which gets under way this Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Upon handing over the cheques for undisclosed sums to the representatives of the two clubs at the Beterverwagting head office, Bakewell’s Chief Executive Officer, Naeem Nasir expressed his company’s delight to once again be associated with the two clubs.
“I think this is about 15 years since we are backing Topp XX and I think about two or three for Buxton, but I must say we are extremely happy. One thing I should do is let you know that here at Bakewell we only associate ourselves with winners so it would be good to see our two teams in the finals, but I would say just continue to make us proud,” Nasir said.
Of the two teams, Topp XX FC of Linden have been the most successful by far as it relates to the Kashif and Shanghai tournament, holding the distinction of being the only team in the tournament to have won the event five times (1994, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2005).
Only Milerock (1990 and 1997) and Fruta Conquerors (2002 and 2004) were able to win the local tournament more than once.
The Buxtonians have never made it past the second round of the knock-out formatted competition, but their coach and club president Sherry Abrams, upon accepting their sponsorship, stated that her side are hard in training preparing for the tournament and are hoping for better success.
Claude Beckles, president of the Topp XX Football Club expressed delighted in the sponsorship received and thanked Bakewell for sticking with them.
Earlier in the day, Nasir handed over 3 000 tickets for Sunday’s opening ceremony and exhibition match between Guyana’s All Stars and Aletico Roraima from Brazil to Minister of Education Shaik Baksh.
In making the presentation, Nasir said his company was pleased to do so, as they will be giving the children an opportunity to be a part of Guyana’s most lucrative tournament.
“Sports is an integral part of human development, especially amongst the youths and for the past 15 years, we have been associated with the Kashif and Shanghai tournament, while this is the third year we are giving school children across Guyana the opportunity to be a part of this historical tournament,” stated Nasir.
In accepting the tickets, which he said will be distributed to students in both the rural and urban areas, Minister Baksh expressed his appreciation at Bakewell’s gesture, as it highlights his beliefs in promoting sports within the school system.
“The Ministry of Education is highly appreciative of this gesture which gives 3 000 students the opportunity to witness Sunday’s opening ceremony of the tournament now in its 21st year, as well as the chance to witness the exhibition matchup.
“I believe that sports should be promoted within the schools today, especially football which will be promoted in the same elaborate manner as cricket next year, since I have had this discussion with the National Sports Commission and hopefully, the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation can come on board and assist with the organising of same,” said Minister Baksh.
He complimented the K&S Organisation whose co-director Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major was in attendance to witness the presentation, for their sterling efforts in developing the sport of football amidst the trying times they have encountered and wish them all the best in the future.