Reputed Calypso King of the World Mighty Sparrow
(Slinger Francisco) got the blank from Ministry of Culture to
be part of the cultural contingent which leaves TnT next Monday
(June 5) for the World Cup Finals in Germany.
Sparrow’s name was reportedly among the many cultural ambassadors
put forward to represent TnT when the action gets going.
An estimated 9,000 local fans are expected in Germany to see the
Soca Warriors make history in the World Cup appearance.
Insiders told TnT Mirror several factors, including his stage
appeal and material in this era of new-wave soca, worked against
the legendary calypsonian.
The source asked: “When you have to choose between a Kees
(Diffenthaller) and a Sparrow, tell me who has more appeal in
these times on a stage?
“Who has the energy; who shows the discipline on the stage?
“To watch Kees wine and Sparrow wine, who would you really
choose?”
He went on: “Do we want to entertain the thousands with
Congo Man? Of course, that’s not the message we want to
send to the world.
“It may sound harsh but Sparrow no longer has that appeal,
especially for what we want to push in Germany.”
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KEES DIFFENTHALLER
... in the group bound
for Germany.
SPARROW ... stage
appeal and material
worked against him.
RIKKI JAI ... makes
good representation.
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Sources told Mirror
organisers opted for 2006 National Calypso Monarch Luta, Stalin,
and Skatie to represent calypso.
“Stalin is good and still has that appeal,” Mirror
was told.
“Luta has so much clarity and he represents real kaiso.”
Mirror was told that Rose, the vaunted Calypso Queen of the World,
almost didn’t make it.
“It’s only because of the Tobago politics that she
got through,” the source declared.
“When government is choosing, they have to be careful and
include everyone and, so, be politically correct.
“People ask why Kees Diffenthaller but the truth is the
young man also represents the face of TnT.”
He defended Rikki Jai’s selection over 2006 Chutney Monarch
Ramdeen “Falco” Maharaj and entertainer/businessman
Iwer George.
“Rikki Jai has been out there toiling for years.
“He has always represented TnT culturally and makes good
representation.”
The recently-crowned chutney champ has gone public over his exclusion
from the trip.
“Falco has only just won a title and there was no way he
could have been considered over Rikki Jai.”
“As for Iwer George, his presence on a stage is overwhelming,
you can’t stop him and that’s what we want energy,
the passion.”
He said when World Cup is over, Trinidad and Tobago should be
remembered.
“We want real representation in Germany, we don’t
want artistes who don’t know how to behave, who don’t
know when to come off stage, who when you tell them they have
15 minutes to perform they take an hour.”
He refused to identify artistes who lack discipline.
“Let’s just say reports of greed for booze, food and
all-round bad behaviour is what kayoed a lot of top-notch artistes
who otherwise might have made the cut,” the source ended.
Others scheduled to leave TnT for Germany on June 5 are Eagle
Boys Tassa Group, Soca Monarch Shurwayne Winchester, National
Panorama winners Phase 11 Pan Groove, Defence Force Steel Orchestra
and African and East Indian drummers and dancers.
There will also be Carnival costumes and traditional ole mas characters
on display.
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