Controversy over the $2 million first prize and uncertainty over Government funding has placed a dark cloud over the hosting of two of the premier Carnival events for 2011- the Chutney Soca and Soca Monarch competitions. Southex CEO and promoter of the Chutney Soca Monarch Competition, George Singh, said yesterday: "Chutney Soca Monarch is on hold." William Munroe, CEO of Prestige Promotions, organiser of the 19th International Soca Monarch Competition, also said: "Time is running out on me." For the second consecutive time, Singh had to postpone the media launch of the Chutney Soca Competition which had been carded for today at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre.
In a release, Singh said that became inevitable as Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism Winston Peters indicated on Tuesday afternoon he would not be attending. In a subsequent telephone interview yesterday afternoon, Singh said: "His (Peters) office called a little while ago and said he was not coming. They said he will be sending a representative, but the representative will not speak. Further to that there was no communication with him as regards to prizes. "There are a lot of things in the media about the $2 million first prize for the various competitions. Nothing has been confirmed. In addition to the prizes, the ministry has always funded part of the show.
"We cannot do the show without Government funding. I will not even try to do it alone." Singh said as it stood there was doubt around hosting of the actual show. "I don't really know what is going on. Until we hear otherwise, Chutney Soca Monarch is on hold," Singh said. Munroe, also in a telephone interview, said he was in negotiations with the sponsors and the ministry. He said he was was optimistic the ministry would keep its pledge in time for him to organise a show surpassing any he has ever produced.
He added: "A tremendous amount of planning goes into producing a show of this magnitude, especially when celebrities and foreign media have confirmed attendance. I will not host a watered-down event.
"A lot of movie stars are coming, the hotels are boasting they are filled. We have confirmation from Japan, Germany, London, Canada," Munroe said.