WHEN PROPRIETOR and Managing Director Nazar Mohamed handed over the $2M cheque to the organisers of the 25th Kashif and Shanghai Football Tournament, he became the longest contributing sponsor of the competition, which kicks off on March 20 at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground. 

“It’s always a pleasure being a part of this tournament. I have a personal attachment to the organisers and sports in general and I’ve always been part of this tournament and it’s become an important part of us here at Mohamed’s Enterprise and City Mall,” Mohamed told the gathering at his Lombard Street business.
The relationship between Mohamed’s Enterprise and the Kashif and Shanghai Tournament dates back to 1991; 24 years ago and according to directors Kashif Muhammad and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, the company’s involvement is one which is deemed very significant to the sustainability of their annual event.
Apart from the first place prize, Mohamed’s Enterprise will also donate the trophies and medals for the winning team.
Meanwhile, in giving an update on the tournament, Muhammad said that preparation for the competition which will be held for the first time outside of the Christmas season is progressing nicely, despite the withdrawal of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
The GDF stated that their participation at this year’s Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship will not enable them to feature in this year’s tournament; something Muhammad rubbishes, stating, “It’s really ironic because we think that this would have been the more ideal preparation for any team. Alpha United are in the tournament and they are using it as a major warm-up, but that aside, we’re getting it all together.”.
We had a meeting with the referees yesterday and they have confirmed that they will send their best team to officiate in the tournament.
The tournament will climax on April 5 at the Guyana National Stadium. The second-place team will get $1M, while third- and fourth-place finishers will pocket $500 000 and $250 000 respectively.