Banks DIH on Wednesday donated over $2M to the Culture Ministry to sponsor this year’s 2009 Mashramani calypso competition.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Banks Sales and Marketing Manager George McDonald handed over the cheque to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony at the company’s main office at Thirst Park.

Anthony lauded the “mutually beneficial” relationship that the company and ministry share adding that Banks has supported many cultural events over the years. “Out of that relationship we built a momentum and we’ve had discussion with the executives of Banks and they have agreed to support the calypso segment of Mashramani which would entail providing all the prize money and other rewards,” he said. Meanwhile McDonald said Banks is pleased to contribute to the contest and promotional activities noting that it will coincide with its campaign to support local products and events.

According to GINA the calypso competition is a popular feature on the Mash calendar and it recently included a special segment sponsored by the National AIDS Programme Secretariat. This year’s competition will feature 20 participants, including two newcomers. Fans should expect Mighty Canary, Stella, Kaiso Kid, Lady Mel and Marcus all of whom will be backed by the Mingles Sound Machine, to compete.

Convenor of the competition Patricia Chase-Green said Abigail James triumphed over her competitors when the contest began with a clash of the juniors at the Mahaicony Community Centre Ground on Saturday. The seniors are expected to clash in the semi-final round tomorrow where ten persons are expected to be eliminated.

The final round will be held at Thirst Park on February 14 where the monarch will be crowned.