Muhammad eyeing the expansion of tournaments going forward

…Also pleased with vaccination compliance

With the GFF-K&S Super-16 tournament completed and the Futsal competition almost at a close, organizer Kashif Muhammad has disclosed considerations to expand the tournament while sharing the aspects of the events he most appreciated.

On Saturday last, the curtain came down on the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)- Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) Men’s Super-16 tournament, while this Saturday will see the culmination of the Futsal event with a grand finale between Bent Street and Sparta Boss.

Before the pomp and splendour of the huge final clash, there is much that Co-director of the Kashif and Shanghai Organization, Kashif Muhammad, is considering, especially with regard to the tournament’s format and safety guidelines.
During an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, organizer Muhammad revealed initial ideas to maximise the number of teams participating in order to add value to the tournament.
“We’re thinking a little bit different for the years to come. It wouldn’t just remain as sixteen teams; we’re thinking about doing it how it’s done in the world Cup, possibly 24. Next year, God willing, we’ll divide them up into groups, and everybody get an opportunity to play at least two games three games before they get into the final 16,” Muhammad explained
“Even though it’s nice where you can play, we like the idea of persons getting a second chance. Cause sometimes you can lose your first game. In this format, if you lose your first game, you’re out, if you lose any game, you’re out; so, in the format, we want to introduce, you can lose your first game but still stand a chance of coming again.”
He further stated, “We’re thinking of making that adjustment, and so far, everybody likes the idea, and this is our thoughts for next time around.”
In weighing the pros of the 2021-2022 Year-end events, Muhammad highlighted that the players’ willingness to get vaccinated was a focal point for him.
The football organizer, who has been in the business for more than 3 decades, candidly shared, “The most important thing for me is being satisfied to see so many teams getting vaccinated to participate in this tournament. We had 19 teams, each team comprising of 30 persons were vaccinated for the actual football, and then, we had 32 teams of at least 15 persons being vaccinated to participate in the Futsal.
“And then everybody who is coming to these events had to be vaccinated, this is under the strict guidelines of the COVID Task Force. So, that was heartwarming for us.”
He added, “I must say it’s beautiful to see the level of both Futsal and football this December, for the whole reopening of football.”
Turning his attention to the fan turn-out, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) noted that their presence indicates the guidelines can be used across sport disciplines.
“I’m most satisfied to see the quality of football. It’s happening in both the Futsal and the big field football. It’s good to see this, it’s nice that people can start coming back to these events, but under the guidelines, we would like to see this in much more sports,” Muhammad reasoned.
“And then it’s warming to see the whole collaboration between the Guyana Football Federation and the Kashif and Shanghai Organization once again, making the December season the football season,” he concluded.
The Futsal final on Saturday, January 8 will bring down the curtains on football’s 2021-2022 year-end tournaments. (Jemima Holmes)