The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

MARIO Bowleg says the World Famous Valley Boys missed out on government seed funding because they failed to register with his ministry, rejecting the group’s claim that they were unfairly excluded.

The Youth, Sports and Culture Minister told The Tribune yesterday the faction had not submitted the compliance documents required of all Junkanoo groups in New Providence, including Trade Compliance Certificate (TCC) and TIN numbers, and therefore could not be included in the recent funding distribution.

“I met with the World Famous prior to us giving out those seed fundings and told them that they are on the list to receive funding, but they have not yet signed up with the ministry,” he said. “Their response was that they signed up with the JCNP. Signing up with the JCNP doesn’t mean anything to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture because you need to ensure that you have the necessary documents in place to comply. Now on the day of distribution of the seed funding, the World Famous did not sign up, and so they were not mentioned.”

Mr Bowleg said the government will not be distracted by internal disputes within the Valley Boys, saying: “We are going to remain focused on the preparation for these parades to ensure that we have a very good parade coming up for Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. We don’t have the time to be back and forth with the personal issues that they have in those fractions.”

Mr Bowleg stressed that the recent Supreme Court ruling, which determined only one faction can officially use the Valley Boys name, had no bearing on the World Famous faction’s eligibility for government support.

However, he accused the group of misleading the public. “For them to come out with that disingenuous, misleading the public with that statement, tells me that they obviously must have had another agenda, which I am not interested at this time,” he said. He added that if the World Famous want to participate in the parade on Bay Street, “they would do the right thing and do the honourable thing like everybody else, and come and sign up with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, provide their documents so they can receive their seed funding.”

The World Famous Valley Boys released a statement on Friday saying they were “shocked and disappointed” at their exclusion from the funding announcement. They said the minister assured them during a meeting on September 17 that they remained eligible for funding, and questioned why their group appeared to be “victimised.”

The group also pushed back against suggestions that the court ruling disqualified them, noting the matter is still before the Court of Appeal. They confirmed preparations for their Boxing Day and New Year’s Day performances are already underway.

The dispute arises from a long-running split that produced two factions claiming the Valley Boys name. The Supreme Court has ruled that only one may officially use the title, creating confusion among sponsors and organisers.

Meanwhile, government seed funding for the 2025 Boxing Day and 2026 New Year’s Day parades has been increased, with A groups now receiving $40,000, up from $30,000, and B groups $20,000, up from $15,000. Prize money for individual awards has also risen from $1,500 to $2,250.

Mr Bowleg said funding remains limited and late entries will be accommodated only where possible. So far, seven A groups, 11 B groups and 14 individual entrants have registered for the 2025/2026 parades, with more expected closer to the events. A press conference with ALIV to announce ticket sales is expected soon.