Soca artistes get go-ahead, but

WHILE confirmations are currently being handed out to artistes who have been chosen to form part of the National Cultural contingent to accompany the TT Warriors football team to the World Cup Finals in Germany, officials at five top steelband organisations yesterday complained bitterly about not being spoken to, about the cultural mission.

Newsday was informed that National Panorama champions Phase II Pan Groove, World Steelband champions Exodus, Pan in the 21st Century winners Desperadoes, bpTT Renegades and Trinidad All Stars were all left in the dark over which steelband (if any) would be the Culture Ministry’s choice for the Germany trip. A spokesperson for Desperadoes said yesterday, “We do not see it feasible to take a national contingent that does not include Despers and All Stars. These band have been at the centre for decades and have travelled extensively promoting the steelband.”

A member of All Stars said they were fully preparing for the event but now there is some measure of disappoinment in the camp.

Officials at Playboyz, the single pan band that has been accompanying the Soca Warriors wherever they played in the qualifying rounds to the World Cup, said they too were not approached by the Ministry but expect a statement on the issue from FIFA vice-president Jack Warner today.

Efforts to contact Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams and the ministry’s representative on the recent fact-finding mission to Germany Norvan Fullerton, proved futile up to press time last evening. Meanwhile, some of the artistes confirmed for the Germany trip where they will showcase this country’s culture on the World Cup stage are reigning Soca Monarch and Road March champion Shurwayne Winchester, Soca star Neil ‘Iwer’ George, the Roy Cape All Stars, Kees Dieffanthaller and Maximus Dan.

The latter two are currently featured on the FIFA website having produced the sound tracks for video games on the Road to Germany. Those tracks are “The Calling” and the ever popular “Soca Warrior Fighter.”

Late information reaching Newsday yesterday was that the Culture Ministry will officially release the list of the full contingent by this weekend.