$2M pumped into Chutney/Soca show
Thursday, January 27, 2011

TRINIDAD NEWSDAY - THE Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism has allocated $2 million as the first prize for the winner of the 2011 Chutney Soca Monarch competition, organiser George Singh announced yesterday.
And soca superstar Machel Montano HD will return to the finals of the Chutney Soca Monarch with a full concert performance while talks continue to take place between Singh and Tempo Network for live broadcast to 28 countries.

Singh told the media that the cost of hosting the event has already crossed $9 million. The increase in prize money for the winner of the chutney Soca Monarch competition was a promise made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar while on the campaign trail.

Singh said while the event has grown over the last 16 years, the $2 million first prize generated even more interest.

He has however been left with the task of funding the prizes for 14 other competitors in the finals carded to come off on February 19 at Skinner Park, San Fernando.

He promised “to come up with a respectable package” as prizes for other competitors and promised to make further announcement as soon as prizes are confirmed. He praised William Munroe, the man who started the Soca Monarch competition and founder of Caribbean Prestige Foundation (CPF) for his continuous support.

He said, “He (Munroe) has always described Chutney Soca Monarch as a child of Soca Monarch and I must say today that he has treated me like a father would treat a son,” he said.