NLCB invests more than $1.7M in pan and kaiso

Story taken from the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday by Gary Cardinez 

PAN Trinbago announced there will be a North Greens section for Panorama Semi Finals on February 12. The announcement came from Acting President Richard Forteau at a press conference held at the NLCB Suite at the Queens Park Oval on Tuesday afternoon.

The press conference was to announce the National Lotteries Control Board’s 2017 involvement in two interest groups Pan Trinbago and TUCO . 

TUCO received a cheque for $800,000 while Pan Trinbago received one for $500,000 and the competitions will be called the TUCO/ NLCB Calypso Fiesta and Pan Trinbago/ NLCB National Panorama Festival Semi Finals respectively. 

Added to which patrons going to both competitions early will have a chance to win $200,00 via the Lottery Instant Scratch game. 

The first 4,000 patrons at Panorama semis will receive free Scratch tickets. The same will apply at the Panorama finals when 3,500 patrons will receive free tickets. 

The North Greens will be smaller and will be integrated with the North Stand where patrons from the North Stand will be able to access the Greens. 

There will be a meeting point called the Market Place where patrons from the Greens and North Stand could meet and share drinks and eats. Pan Trinbago says this is an effort to bridge the generation gap as the older folks from the North Stand will have an opportunity to mingle with the youths of the Greens. 

An added bonus for patrons in the North and Grand Stands is the gift of free rum, beer and water. 

TUCO’s President, Lutalo Masimba, said he is feeling good that NLCB understands their mission as many corporate entities do not fully understand their social responsibility. 

“This deal with NLCB is a sponsorship not a donation,” Masimba said. 

“This is serious business and NLCB has embraced our project,” said Masimba. 

Five hundred tickets for the TUCO/NLCB Calypso Fiesta will be given away while 2,500 National Lottery Instant Scratch tickets will also be given to patrons and a lucky person can win $200,000. 

Free rum, beer and water will also be given out at the Calypso semi-finals at Skinner Park on February 18. 

There will also be an area for gaming during the show. 

Tickets for Calypso Fiesta can be bought at any NLCB Gaming outlet. 

Masimba also noted that despite the many rumblings about 2017 Carnival, the interest groups will always bring a Carnival. 

Such is the “Power of Carnival”. 

Prices for the two shows are as follows: TUCO/NLCB Calypso Fiesta ($300), Pan Trinbago /NLCB Panorama Festival Semi-Finals $300 (Grand Stand), $450 (North Stand) and North Greens $250.