Foreign judges will not be used to adjudicate in calypso and soca competitions during Grenada’s August festivals.

A decision was reached during a meeting of the Grenada Carnival Committee on Thursday, reversing a policy of the previous administration.

Carnival organizers say the decision to use local judges is based on the need to strengthen their capabilities.
But with weeks remaining before the climax of carnival the new decision has already sparked some controversy.

Chairperson, Aisha Antoine says the Grenada Calypso Association is unhappy with the new developments.
Antoine says her association is soon to meet to discuss the use of foreign judges in local calypso and soca competitions and it’s possible that artistes may boycott competitions.

However, ‘Nfinite Communications, the public relations firm promoting the country’s August festivals, is calling on the calypso association to rethink its position.
Dispute over the use of foreign judges played out in the High Court last year and even delayed the start of the Dimanche Gras, by about four hours..