PM Upholds Namba’s Panorama Ruling

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Carnival

Tuesday, 12 June 2012 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St. John’s - Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Baldwin Spencer has decided not to intervene in the controversial 2011 Panorama winners saga, and declared that he felt the decision of Culture Minister Eleston “Namba” Adams was a just one.

This is according to LIME Hell’s Gate Steel Orchestra (LHGSO) spokesman Stafford Joseph, who said that Spencer stated his position on Sunday during a meeting with the band’s leadership.

But Joseph said that while the band appreciated the Prime Minister’s taking the time to meet with them, it will be moving to the next step by pursuing legal avenues.

“He (PM) thought that was the best way to go. He thought that was a good decision under the circumstances. However, we had other fruitful discussions regarding the pan,” Joseph said.

He added, however, that the ongoing challenge will not affect the band’s participation in the 2012 Panorama competition set to take place some time early in July.

The LHGSO has already begun rehearsals.

But amongst the disappointment was some level of satisfaction as Joseph announced that Hell’s Gate secured something of a victory in the matter regarding the contentious rules and regulations governing Panorama competitions.

This was finalized during a meeting with the Antigua & Barbuda Pan Association on Sunday.

“I think we had a good discussion and things were put in place,” he said.

It was agreed that while the 2003 rules and regulations would remain unchanged with seven adjudicators for the event, a new clause would be added making provisions for only three to operate if exactly seven could not be secured.

If only three judges are used, this would be done on the merit or ranking system, as has been practiced for during previous years. For the latter system to be utilized, each band must agree in advance.

Joseph said all bands were represented at Sunday’s meeting with the Pan Association, including a new group led by a veteran pan player.

Furthermore, it was agreed that the Association’s initial proposal of 100 individuals as a cap for each band performing on stage was insufficient.

Instead, the bands pushed for a limit of 110 individuals so as to allow for “more youngsters” to benefit from the experience.

“We felt that from our end the cap of 100 would actually disenfranchise a lot of youngsters from playing. We collectively agreed on 110 because we feel that we have the responsibility to groups as well as the whole … audience,” Joseph said.

He added that the number of bands participating in the event these days is insufficient to allow for maximum participation of the nation’s youth who want to participate.

It was also determined that the arrangers for the bands must all be Antiguan citizens and must register with the Pan Association before the competition.
 

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