AS the opening date for Guyana’s most lucrative football tournament Kashif and Shanghai Football festival draws near, some business entities of Corporate Guyana are continuing to show their loyalty in making the tournament a success. The Cell Phone Shack, located at North Road, for the 18th year yesterday, presented a cheque for an undisclosed amount towards the successful hosting of the 22nd edition of the most popular knock-out tournament in Guyana.
This year, Cell Phone Shack, in keeping with their aim to always have maximum involvement of the fans, has decided to include some special prizes such as cell phones that lucky fans will win at the various venues where games will be contested across Guyana.
Organiser of the tournament, Kashif Muhammad expressed gratitude to the sponsor at the presentation, stating that they have always partnered with the entity for the development of the sport since the establishment of their business in 1993.
Muhammad indicated that Cell Phone Shack’s annual sponsorship of the tournament does not only provide for the players but also the spectators as it is a tradition for them (Cell Phone Shack) to contribute cell phones for special giveaway prizes to spectators.
Giving an insight regarding preparations for the tournament which attracts thousands of fans and supporters, Muhammad said that preparations are progressing as scheduled and they are currently engaging mega sponsors.
According to Muhammad, equipment for the annual competition has been ordered already and both the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC) will be engaged to ensure the tournament is a success. He also said the Guyana Police Force will be involved.
Meanwhile, Jamaican Reggae Artiste Jah Cure and two International Disc Jockeys from Jamaica and the USA will be entertaining the crowd after the final at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, on January 1, 2012.
Fixtures for the tournament which has as its first prize one pound of gold (4 million dollars) and a trophy will be available for the various teams by this weekend.
Added to the massive first prize, the second-, third- and fourth-placed finishers will pocket $1M, $500 000 and $300 000 respectively while the tournament’s Most Valuable Player will ride away with one motorcycle.
Of the 20 teams selected so far, two will be overseas-based – Caribbean United out of Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago’s Caledonia AIA – along with defending champions and Guyana’s number one club Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United.