Soca Monarch to get over $700,000

The winner of the International Soca Monarch 2006 competition will receive in excess of $700,000 in prizes that will include, a prize trip to Germany, to perform as part of a cultural initiative for the World Cup Football Finals. Terry Joseph, Cultural Liaison Officer of TT Germany 2006, made the announcement during the media launch of the various Soca Monarch competitions for 2006 at Trotters Bar and Restaurant yesterday. Other prizes for the winner are $400,000 in cash and a Chevrolet automobile. As a result of the resurfacing of the grounds at the Queen’s Park Oval, the Fantastic Friday finals, renamed “The World Cup of Soca” for 2006, will be held at the National Stadium on February 24.

William Munro, chairman of event producers Caribbean Prestige Foundation (CPF), told Newsday, the official newspaper for the event, that the covering for the playing surface of the stadium has already been ordered. That special covering will be laid down for the necessary protection of the field, since the carpark (Soca Broadway) where several Carnival events were being held is too small to host the grand final. However, the semi-finals of the competition will be held on “Broadway” on January 29. TUCO president, Michael Legerton, noted that the way to take TT’s music to the world is via Soca. And through bmobile, TSTT, title sponsor of the event, will be televising the final live to the world on MTV channel, Tempo.

And to attract the foreign audience, the CPF has contracted popular dancehall artistes Beenie Man and Elephant Man, along with Machel Montano, to make guest appearances at The World Cup of Soca. Munro said that the world will compare the two genres of music, but given the power and infectiousness of Soca music, dancehall will not be able to compete. The show will be promoted abroad and on all BWIA flights via DVD, until after Carnival. Camille Salandy, Corporate Communications Manager at TSTT, vowed to continue to use the leading Soca artistes in promotions and announced that they will give $20,000 to the People’s Choice Monarch.

Bringing greetings to the CPF was Edward Hart, Junior Culture Minister, who praised the event sponsors for coming on board. He said the event is the greatest show in the world and pledged to continue giving the foundation the ministry’s support. Also addressing the gathering was Nadia Narine of Flavorite, title sponsor for the Junior Soca Monarch. She expressed the hope to see more adults witness that final since the compositions of the youths, in many instances, far surpasses those of their adult counterparts. Marketing Manager at CPF, Douglas Gordon, ended the launch by predicting that the World Cup of Soca will be bigger and better than ever.