Stickfighting Semi-Finals was supposed to be held last night at the Arima Velodrome. However the event did not take place as planned since the stick fighters had demands that could not be met by the NCC.
The fighters were heard chanting “No Money” No Stick”! The patrons who paid a $100 entrance fee were refunded their monies as the event could not continue.
NCC is alleging that the stick fighters made requests for payments of monies which was acceded to however they also requested an increase in prize money on the night of the Semi-Finals, which NCC could not immediately agree to.
NCC’s statement on the issue is shown below.
After an agreement by the National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago (NCC) to meet the demands of the stick fighters for payment of the prizes from the preliminary round, held on January 24 in Moruga, as well as provide advance payments on the semifinal round, held at the Arima Velodrome on February 7, even prior to its commencement, the NCC was unable to meet the fighters’ on-the-spot demands for an immediate increase in prize monies.
As a result of the impasse, the National Stick Fighting Competition 2020 has been postponed until further notice.
The NCC apologises to the public for any inconvenience caused by this unforeseen development.
NCC Website
This is a developing story and we will update this as it unfolds.
Update: Trini Good Media was at the event and posted this Facebook Live as events unfolded.