The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has partnered with the Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) Organisation to stage the year-ending Super 16 football competition, set to kick off on December 12 in the city.
As has been the case with previous year-end tournaments, the final would be held on New Year’s Day.
While the opening contest will be held at the Georgetown Football Club ground, Bourda, the championship game will be hosted at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, on January 1, 2022.
Games would also be played in Buxton and Linden, with the other games days being December 17, 19, 22, 25, 26 and 29.
GFF President Wayne Forde, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, said the Federation is looking forward to working alongside the K&S Organisation to execute the competition.
“After a long wait due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are extremely confident that our two organisations will combine experience, reach and expertise to deliver a top-class return to competitive football at the senior level that will truly capture the imagination of fans across Guyana,” Forde told the media.
“K&S has a long track record of organising highly engaging and successful football events, which are vital for the development of football in terms of increasing participation among players, officials, coaches and fans, as well as driving much-needed private and public sector investment in the game.”
Forde highlighted that he Super 16 Cup preliminary rounds will take place at the regional association level across Guyana, with clubs from eight of nine associations competing for places in the finals.
A representative XI from the Rupununi Football Association will qualify directly for the round of sixteen play-offs, he pointed out.
“The GFF and K&S are in the process of setting up a well-qualified and experienced operations team and dedicated command centre, which will be located at the GFF National Training Centre in Providence,” he further explained.
“We look forward to working with the K&S Organisation again on this important milestone in our return to play plans and, indeed, on future projects together. The GFF is committed to working with all our stakeholders to ensure we harness the best expertise available to drive the development of football for all. Collaborative, positive partnerships like these are crucial in laying a sustainable foundation for the future of football and our young talent.”
Director of the K&S Organisation, Kashif Muhammad, said the aim is to replicate the level of excitement that is associated with year-end football.
“We need football to win in all of this, and we have to connect with all the stakeholders. COVID has really put a damper on almost everything worldwide, so places are opening up and we’re happy to work with Mr. Forde,” Muhammad said.
Muhammad said the organising body is committed to following the guidelines that will ensure a safe tournament, and it will be working in collaboration with the GFF to guarantee a successful event.
Notably, everyone involved in the tournament, including fans, would have to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus to gain access to the venues on match days.
