$2m headache for Chutney Soca promoter
'Ask Govt for more money' Friday, February 18 2011
TRINIDAD EXPRESS - By Innis Francis South Bureau -
If disgruntled Chutney Soca Monarch finalists want more prize money for tonight's competition, they should ask the Arts and Multiculturalism Ministry, which sponsored the $2 million first prize.
That's the position of Southex promoter George Singh who said the multi-million-dollar prize was giving him no end of headache.
He suggested that the singers meet with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar after the show to negotiate a better deal.
On Thursday, some of the 15 finalists expressed outrage over the small money Singh had offered to those who did not win the jackpot. Singh has announced a $100,000 prize for second place, $60,000 for third, and others placing fourth to 15th would get $30,000.
The prize money has angered some, including former winners Rikki Jai who said the $2 million should be distributed among the 15 finalists, and Ravi B who said he had already spent $300,000 on tonight's production.
The Express spoke with Singh yesterday at Skinner Park, San Fernando, where the show is to be held.
He said: "This $2 million frenzy by the artiste is causing me a $2 million headache. But the first place money remains the same."
Singh said: "I would love for the rest of prizes to be better awarded but if that is the case the ministry would have to pay that. I committed to pay the rest and I promised that it (the prizes) would not be less than last year, and it isn't."
Singh asked that artistes meet him after the finals to speak with Persad-Bissessar to try and come up with an alternative to the prize distribution.
He said: "We asked for it ($2m) to be split, but that is out of my hands. If the money was given to me to split I would split it at all levels and give everybody a substantial amount. We were trying to get a corporate sponsor or the government to meet the level of the $2 million".
Singh also said he was wrongfully accused by a radio personality of taking 15 per cent of the prize money.
The show starts at 8 p.m. and the first artiste will perform at 8.45 p.m. The results are expected to be announced at 2.30 a.m. and Persad-Bissessar is expected to present the $2 million cheque to the winner.
