By Sue-Ann Wayow
DUE to insufficient funding, the 2022 National Calypso and Extempo competitions have been cancelled.
The General Council of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) met on Tuesday in an emergency meeting following its meeting with the National Carnival Commission (NCC) on Monday and made the decision.
The 70 plus registrants for the two competitions will be refunded their registration fee.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, TUCO stated that the Calypso Fiesta carded for February 20 at Naparima Bowl, San Fernando will now take the form of a Concert Showdown featuring calypsonians from Trinidad and Tobago.
TUCO will participate in the Dimanche Gras show on Carnival Sunday which will take the form of a Calypso Super-Clash.
Information on ticket sales will be published in the next 24 hours.
TUCO stated, “TUCO wishes to clear the air on misinformation that have been circulating in the public domain for the past few days regarding funding allocation of $1.5 million from the NCC.
“The said 1.5 million was insufficient to host both the National Calypso Monarch and Extempo Monarch finals, the Calypso Tents, paying the accompanying band and our suppliers.
“Further, $1.3 million was already allocated to the various Calypso Tents throughout Trinidad and Tobago to hosts their shows which left TUCO with $200,000 which was impractical to host such competitions including of prize monies.
“Therefore, in the interest of Calypso and our membership, the General Council thought it prudent to defer the competitions to 2023 for a bigger and grander production.”
TUCO said that officials at NCC supported the alternative solutions.
TUCO apologised for the inconvenience caused to the registrants for the National Calypso Monarch and Extempo Monarch competitions and directs that the Zonal Offices be contacted for a refund of the entry fee.
