Some promoters and artistes have welcomed the call by Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Randall Mitchell for the Soca Monarch's return, with some saying that they would be interested in taking up the challenge.
Mitchell made the call at a prize-giving ceremony on Wednesday for the winners of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians' Organisation (TUCO) 2024 competitions: National Freestyle, National Extempo, National Road March and National Calypso Monarch.
He said Soca Monarch had been absent for too long, the public's interest had waned and revitalising it was crucial. He invited interested parties to partner with the government for a renewed competition.
President of the Trinidad and Tobago Promoters Association (TTPA) Jerome 'Rome' Priscilla said the association was happy for this call, as Soca Monarch was something needed in the Carnival space.
'We have a competition for calypso, we have one for chutney, one for Carnival bands, one for pan and so we definitely need one for the soca fraternity.
'Soca Monarch, in the past, propelled the careers of a lot of artistes. As much as some people may be disgruntled with Soca Monarch in the past, there is no doubt that it did help to propel the careers of many,' he said.
Rome added that a couple of TTPA members were interested and would be submitting when a Request For Proposals (RFP) is issued.
But Rome advised the government and the National Carnival Commission (NCC) to simply support the promoter or promoters selected and not to become too involved in the day-to-day running of it.
'The business of the government and NCC should not be in trying to put on events like these, but allow the promoters who are accustomed doing events like these that attract thousands of people to do what they know to do best and allow the government to just support that,' he said.
Rome said the competition should be self-sustaining.
'In the past too many people fully depended on government funding for these things to take place and, if the government pulls out or does not give as much funding, then the entire thing collapses. So this should stand on its own feet.
'It should make money from the door sales, sponsorship and different investors and get the support of the government,' he said.
Rome was also happy that the discussion was taking place now rather than later on, which would give future organisers enough time to host the event.
'I am happy the minister is putting this out there early so it would give enough time for someone to be selected to carry this out and ample time for the planning process to take place and get this thing right.
'It always saddens me to see other islands have their versions of the soca monarch come and outshine ours when we were the ones who came up with the idea in the first place. We were known as the Mecca of Carnival - still known as the Mecca - where our Soca Monarch product is now a shadow of the past.
'I am really happy it is being talked about now, really hoping it is successful and that we can bring back a competition like
