SCORES of persons lined the roadway from the East Coast village of Golden Grove to Buxton, as Buxton United celebrated their 23rd Kashif and Shanghai Championship with a victory parade.

Buxton United became the second East Coast team to lift the coveted title after Victory Kings, following their dramatic sudden-death penalty shoot-out against Amelia’s Ward United at the Guyana National Stadium on New Year’s Day (January 1).
Of the 16 teams that participated, Buxton United had the hardest run to the title. They had to come from behind to defeat Winners Connection 3-1 then overthrow a star-studded BK International Western Tigers 1-0.
But it was their 1-0 victory over the country’s No. 1 team, the powerful Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United ,that earned them the name ‘The Giant Slayers’ and with the entire East Coast behind them, Buxton United rallied to their first-ever title in any competition they’ve played in since the club was formed.
Their captain and National player Dwayne Jacobs was voted the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and for his accomplishment he was given a brand new Toyota Allex, compliments of Edward B. Beharry and Company.
Co-Director of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation Kashif Muhammad hailed this year’s tournament as one of the best since the event started in 1989.
He said that the support shown, especially by the people of Buxton and the East Coast, was overwhelming and expressed gratitude to them.
Buxton United’s victory, Muhammad said, is testimony to hard work and perseverance shown by the club, stating that “big name doesn’t win football, but it’s who turn up to play on the given day/night”.
The Organisation said that with normalcy returning to football following FIFA/CONCACAF intervention, the 24th edition of the competition would certainly be bigger and better.