By Leiselle Maraj

The National Carnival Bands’ Association (NCBA) is awaiting word from Government as to how the $2 million in prize money promised for mas is to be allocated within their existing prize structure for Carnival 2011.

The association hosted a press conference yesterday, at their office on the corner of Picton Street and Tragarete Road, Port-of-Spain, to discuss their plans for Carnival 2011 which is being launched today.

NCBA Vice-President, David Lopez, said while Government’s subvention to the association to prepare for the Parade of the Bands on Carnival Monday and Tuesday is to remain at $7.5 million, Government had assured that mas will get a $2 million prize along with the major pan, soca and chutney competitions for Carnival. Of the $7.5 million allotted to the NCBA by Government, $6 million is allocated to prizes, he said.

“We would have liked to get an increase in prizes and in the prize structure but the relationship between NCBA and Government remains cordial,” Lopez said.

He was then asked if it was unfair that pan, soca and chutney received an increase in prize money to which he replied,

“That has not come on the table as yet to deal with but the NCBA is waiting to deal with this. Talk has been bandied about that pan, calypso and chutney will receive $2 million in prize money but when we raised the issue about $2 million for mas they say mas is also included.

So we have not yet sat and discussed how that money will be dispersed, if it will be a $2 million first prize then how the prize structure will be affected or will the $2 million be added to the prize structure. That is a work in progress.”

SOURCE: Newsday