THE Kashif and Shanghai Organisation yesterday issued a release distancing itself from the political caprice presently in Guyana, contrary to reports in various sections of the local media. Known for their exploits in promoting and executing what is known today as the biggest sporting event in Guyana – the Kashif and Shanghai tournament – the Organisation founded and run by Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major and Kashif Mohammad, issued a release stating that they haven’t and will not show partisan to any political party.
It states that “at the outset, the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation wishes to make a few things clear. First, as an organisation, we neither hold nor propagate any party political position.
“Secondly, the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation has not, on any occasion, organised, facilitated or been involved in any activity of any nature associated with the promotion of any political party or political point-of-view”.
The group, which has recently been awarded with a ‘Medal of Service’ (M.S) for their contribution to sports in Guyana, has thrown a challenge out to any individual or organisation to tender credible evident “to the contrary”.
In justifying what might have been seen as their support for any specific political party, the Organisation stated that the scope of the annual Kashif and Shanghai tournament requires them “to interface with various important institutions including the Government of Guyana. The fact that our tournament now enters its 22nd year means that we have had to interface with separate political administrations”.
It’s no secret that over the years, the Kashif and Shanghai football tournament has benefited from substantial support from the Government of Guyana and more so specifically from former President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The Kashif and Shanghai football tournament was first introduced on December 26 (Boxing Day), 1990 in Linden and it’s on that note that the Organisation believes that the recent reports of their slant in showing partisan to any one political outfit is not only damaging but can be catastrophic.
“Our concern is two-fold. First, it has to do with the potential impact of this perspective on the image of the Organisation and the Tournament, which image we have worked diligently to build over the past 22 years. Our second concern has to do with the likelihood of negative response to the propagation of such view” the release stated.
The organisers said that their primary concern is with football, the growth of the game, providing Guyanese football fans with a high-quality entertainment and a worthwhile stage on which local footballers can display their talents.
According to the release, the Organisation said that their sponsors’ have given sustained support for the tournament over the years and this is because they provide a professional service.
“We remain an Organisation that attracts the support of Guyanese of all walks of life and we remain committed to providing an event that far transcends partisan interests,” the release mentioned.
In conclusion the Kashif and Shanghai group stated “accordingly and in circumstances where the assertions that are being circulated are unsupported by credible evidence, we consider them unsubstantiated, unfair and unwarranted and ask that they end now”.
The 22nd edition of the Kashif and Shanghai football tournament will kick off this Saturday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground.