Secondary School leg kicks off President’s Futsal Championships…

Eager faces were abound at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Tuesday afternoon when the President’s National Futsal Championship – Secondary School Division, coordinated by the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, kicked off.
Twenty secondary school teams, over the next few weeks, will be battling for supremacy and an enticing $700,000 grand prize.
Prior to the senior competition, the schools’ version kicked off on Tuesday afternoon, where stakeholders highlighted the “historic” value of the competition.
“It’s historic, and we are extremely happy to collaborate with Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to organise and produce this championship. It’s wonderful to see so many youngsters here.” Co-Director of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, Kashif Muhammad, shared during the opening ceremony.

“We think this Futsal tournament, that is sponsored by the Government, is going to go far because we believe is the foundation of football generally, and we need the nursery for the senior football that’s taking place. Just a few days ago Guyana won, for the very first time, the Futsal Championship at IGG.”
“The Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, along with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, decided that we will do this tournament, and we don’t want futsal for schools just be a one-off. So, we promised that the next time we’ll be seeing you will not be next year-end; we will meet again about two or three times before, because we want to see Futsal play consistently,” Muhammad went on to vow in his remarks.
Adding to the ‘historic’ conversation was Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, who noted that the competition is a testament to Government’s commitment to developing sports.
Ninvalle remarked, “I think the watchword here today is ‘historic’; it’s a historic event. It’s the first time that we’re having a school’s futsal tournament, and I would want to applaud the Kashif and Shanghai organisation for seeing it fit to have an event such as this.”

“This and the Inter-Guiana Games was solely sponsored by the Government of Guyana, and it actually says how much Government wants to see the development of all sports disciplines. So, I would want to commend President Dr Irfaan Ali for his vision,” the Director of Sport further stated.
A total of four games were billed for Tuesday’s opening round.
In the first match, Brickdam Secondary came from two goals down to edge Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary. Enrique Green with a brace and Omar Moses scored for Brickdam after David Williams (2) and Caydon Paul had given Vreed en Hoop the advantage.
A hat-trick from Captain Seon Grant led Dolphin Secondary to a comfortable 4-1 triumph over Cummings Lodge. Grant was supported by Cristhenson Davidinot. The lone goal for Cummings Lodge was scored by Quason Price.
The following encounter saw Saint Stanislaus in ominous form, blanking out North Ruimveldt 7-0. Saints was led by their captain, Keishawn Ramsay, with a hat-trick and a brace off the boot of Clint Belgrave. In addition, Anthony Sankar and Satrius Taylor tucked in one each for Saints.
West Ruimveldt closed out day one of the schoolboys’ tournament in style, trouncing Hope Secondary, 8-0.
The third hat-trick in as many matches was scored by Jeremiah Griffith, who got excellent support from Joel Griffith, who scored twice, while there was one each for Ezekiel Stanford, Okel Roberts and Donovan Welcome.
The schoolboys’ segment, being played using the round robin format in their first stage, will continue on Thursday from 12:00h when St Joseph’s High oppose St John’s College, Charlestown Secondary tackles West Minister, South Ruimveldt matches skills with VYC Academy, and New Central High take on The Bishops’ High.