Soca stars give free concerts for Pro Football League

LOCAL Soca music stars are lending their support to the Trinidad and Tobago Professional Football League. High profile artistes in the midst of the build-up to the annual Carnival celebrations have consented to participate in two concerts, tomorrow and next Sunday as the PFL seek to involve the public in their future plans. Among the stars listed to appear in the first free concerts titled “Soca and Soccer” are Ronnie McIntosh, Iwer George, Naya George, Faye Ann Lyons, Denise Belfon, Maximus Dan, Chris Garcia, Mighty Duke and Johnny King. It was also announced yesterday by the PFL that Super Blue and Original Wax would used the opportunity at Woodford Square, Port-of-Spain, from 6 pm to launch their 2004 offerings. The second concert will be staged at Harris Promenade on Friday, January 31 from 4 pm when fans in the southland will be able to participate in the phistoric occasion.

The official launch of the marketing plan, named “2004 and Beyond” will take place tomorrow at the Hilton Trinidad when the PFL officials will disclose details about their logo, website, league competition format and their Community Development Programme. Among those invited to the launch are Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes; Ken Valley, Minister of Trade and Industry; Joan Yuille-Williams, Minister of Community Development and Culture; Conrad Enill, Junior Minister in the Ministry of Finance; Minister of Local Government Rennie Dumas; FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner; Oliver Camps, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation; and Douglas Camacho, president of the TT Olympic Committee. Since his appointment as chairman of the PFL last year, Larry Romany has agressively pursued the objective of making the league self-sufficient and has pledged to effectively market the league to bring back the crowds.

And in support of his plans, late last year Government, through Minister Boynes have allocated $3 million over the next three years to the league. The PFL currently have ten teams in competition, recently won by CL Financial Jabloteh. They also stage an Under-20 League involving the professional teams’ young players. The PFL have also the support of the owners of the respect franchise who kept their teams in the competition although there was no prize money offered at the end of the season. However through the hard work of Romany and his PFL team, sponsorship was sought and secured which this season provides incentives with more than $300,000 for the outstanding players and teams.