The organisers of Couva Carnival are appealing for more sponsorship from industries raking in millions at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate. This point was made by Ramchand Rajbal-Maharaj, the chairman of the Couva Carnival Committee, when he spoke with reporters at the Couva Calypso Monarch competition on Friday night. Rajbal-Maharaj said sponsorship for Carnival from the mega industries at the Point Lisas Industrial estate for Carnival has always been menial. He said many of these industries would pump monies into activities in north and south Trinidad while activities "in their own back yard" have to beg cap-in-hand. He said many activities for this year's celebration, including the Calypso Monarch competition went unsponsored.
The competition began with eight youths battling for the Junior Monarch. The first place went to Jeromy Rodriguez who sang Hear My Cry. Placing second was Ferdinand Smith who sang The Journey while third place went to Rivaldo London who sang Put the Kaiso in Schools. The senior leg of the competition was won by Rondel Donawa who sang Stop Looking the Other Way. Placing second was Victoria Cooper, the defending monarch, placed second with PP Cuff U and landing in third place was Terry Marcelle with Woe Emancipation.