… 32 teams set to do battle

By Clifton Ross

THE Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) will host the highly-anticipated return of Futsal action, as the upcoming Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Kashif & Shanghai kicks off its first match December 14.

The 32-team tournament features teams from across the spread of Guyana, with 16 hailing from Georgetown while the remaining areas which include East Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara, West Demerara and Linden will each have 4 teams.

Action kicks off December 14 and continues on December 16, 18, 21, 23, 28, 30 before ringing in the New Year with the latter part of the tournament culminating on January 4 and 8.

Speaking on behalf of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, Frank Parris or ‘English’, as he is known around the soccer fraternity, outlined during his brief remarks that teams will be briefed on further areas of the competition, more specifically about prizes and awards; at a meeting which is set to take place this weekend.

With the tournament geared towards ensuring that more Guyanese and, in this case, local soccer players get vaccinated against COVID-19, GFF president Wayne Forde said the response from the football community has been phenomenal.

“Everyone who wants to take part in our year-end festival of football, including players, match officials, staff, coaches, fans and vendors, must be able to show proof of vaccination to access these competitions.”

“As such, we kindly urge our entire community to get vaccinated, both to protect our loved ones and to help us safely deliver a memorable return to play for senior men’s and women’s football during this end-of-the-year celebration.” Forde stated.

Meanwhile, the GFF/Kashif and Shanghai Super 16 Cup along with the GFF Women’s Super 16 will headline action over the Christmas season while breaking the 2022 with more football to come.

Fans, too, will be required to show official proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to access all tournament venues as per the COVID-19 Task Force regulations.