MQI, Banks and LIME are the sponsors of the competition which is providing prizes and cash to the finalists in the MQI/Banks/LIME Pic-O-De Crop Finals, in excess of $200,000. This was stated on Tuesday (July 19) when the National Cultural Foundation hosted the Media at a Press Conference at the famed Kensington Oval.

The radiant Kia Sportage was the backdrop for the head table at which was seated the Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation, Dr. Donna Hunte-Cox, Marketing Manager of MQI, Ms. Margaret Hoyte, Brand Manager of Banks, Mr. Christian Gibbs and Head of Marketing of LIME, Ms. Gail Niles. The Kia Sportage is one of three Kias which MQI is presenting for the Monarchs in the 2011 Crop Over Season and is valued at $107, 300.00. The Monarch will also receive $10,500.00 in Cash. Over $65,000 will be shared between the remaining finalists.

The respective sponsors’ representatives expressed their commitment to the continuous development of the Calypso artform through their sponsorship of the Competition. The NCF Chief Executive Officer reiterated the importance of MQI, Banks and LIME and pointed to the three as examples which others in corporate Barbados should emulate and by so doing guarantee the development of the cultural  industries.

The MQI/Banks/LIME Pic-O-De Crop Semi-finals will be staged at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium on Friday, July 22 starting at 7 p.m. The Finals will be held at the Kensington Oval on Friday, July 29 starting at 8 p.m. The Mighty Gabby, Anthony Carter is the defending Monarch, nine finalists will be challenging the reigning Monarch.