By Joan Rampersad Thursday, November 12 2009

Executive president of the Caribbean Prestige Foundation for the Performing Arts (CPF) Gregory Fernandez yesterday resigned after the organisation distanced itself from his appeal to Government for the use of sports facilities for the International Soca Monarch competition next February.

“I wish to offer my resignation as executive president from the Caribbean Prestige Foundation for the Performing Arts with immediate effect. I wish to thank you for the opportunity to serve and to be part of the vibrant soca arena. I wish you and the foundation all the best and urge you to continue the efforts to bring soca to the world,” Fernandez said in his letter.

He quit CPF hours after the organisation issued an unsigned release to the media stating it had not arranged a news conference at Crowne Plaza, Port-of-Spain on Tuesday, where Fernandez knocked the Government for failing to provide suitable venues for cultural shows. In its statement, CPF said the “appeals and opinions expressed misrepresented the foundation’s stance.” However, CPF, whose chairman is William Munro, also said it was concerned about the limited space available for shows and believed “the relevant authorities will assist in finding a solution for the staging of the International Soca Monarch competition 2010.”

Fernandez told Newsday he stood by the comments he made on Tuesday.

“If the chairman (William Munro) and others in the organisation have another way to fight the cause, going against me in the process, then there is no need for me to function there anymore,” he said.

Munro did not answer calls to him for comment yesterday. Newsday has learned Munro is expected to meet with Prime Minister Patrick Manning next week.

Yesterday, Manning reiterated Government would not approve the use of sports facilities for cultural shows. (See Page 5)