Jagdeo used World Cup 2006 sponsorship to woo Afro-Guyanese - US cable
Written by Demerara Waves
Saturday, 27 August 2011 12:30
President jagdeo hands over the 2008 1st prize money to K&S organisation's Aubrey 'Shanghai' Major (OP photo)President Bharrat Jagdeo had used government’s sponsorship of the airing of the FIFA World Cup 2006 to boost his image among Afro-Guyanese according to a US Embassy cable released by whistleblower site Wikileaks.
According to the cable, President Jagdeo had taken credit for bringing World Cup soccer to Guyanese television with the state-run NCN bombarding the airwaves with the "personal intervention of His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo" to make World Cup coverage possible.
“These announcements overtly suggest that Jagdeo himself forked over the GY$5 million (US$25,000) shortfall needed to secure the broadcast rights. Given the president's ever-growing reputation for unrestrained self-promotion, EmbOffs had their doubts and made further inquiries.
Upon further review, it appears that NCN has completely mischaracterized Jagdeo's contribution. This was no personal act of philanthropy. Rather, the money came from Guyana's lottery fund, not from Jagdeo's pocket -- a key fact that NCN neglected to mention,” the cable read.
Guyana’s last general election was also held that year.
Meanwhile, the cable noted that the World Cup broadcast rights for Guyanese television had cost US$70,000 and NCN could only muster US$45,000 from reluctant sponsors. The government, it added, turned this problem into an opportunity, using government funds to pay the difference and letting Jagdeo take the credit.
“The move makes political sense, too. Soccer is more popular with Afro-Guyanese, a group that largely supports the opposition PNC/R party. The one wrinkle in the plan is that NCN is showing the World Cup matches late at night on tape delay, which has caused public grumbling among soccer fans.”
According to the cable, although this episode may seem innocuous, it underscores the extent to which Jagdeo and the state media have tried to portray his presidency as “benevolently overseeing his personal fiefdom.”
The government has been a steadfast financial supporter of domestic football over the years with annual contributions to the Kashif and Shanghai organisation for their end of year tournament, the biggest on the local calendar.
Additionally, its benevolence also reaches to the entertainment scene with event promoter Hits and Jams a regular beneficiary of tax waivers for major entertainment artistes to perform at its annual “Jamzone Summer Break,” another event which draws tens of thousands of mostly Afro-Guyanese.
The ruling PPP/C government draws most of its support from Indo-Guyanese
source
Written by Demerara Waves
Saturday, 27 August 2011 12:30
President jagdeo hands over the 2008 1st prize money to K&S organisation's Aubrey 'Shanghai' Major (OP photo)President Bharrat Jagdeo had used government’s sponsorship of the airing of the FIFA World Cup 2006 to boost his image among Afro-Guyanese according to a US Embassy cable released by whistleblower site Wikileaks.
According to the cable, President Jagdeo had taken credit for bringing World Cup soccer to Guyanese television with the state-run NCN bombarding the airwaves with the "personal intervention of His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo" to make World Cup coverage possible.
“These announcements overtly suggest that Jagdeo himself forked over the GY$5 million (US$25,000) shortfall needed to secure the broadcast rights. Given the president's ever-growing reputation for unrestrained self-promotion, EmbOffs had their doubts and made further inquiries.
Upon further review, it appears that NCN has completely mischaracterized Jagdeo's contribution. This was no personal act of philanthropy. Rather, the money came from Guyana's lottery fund, not from Jagdeo's pocket -- a key fact that NCN neglected to mention,” the cable read.
Guyana’s last general election was also held that year.
Meanwhile, the cable noted that the World Cup broadcast rights for Guyanese television had cost US$70,000 and NCN could only muster US$45,000 from reluctant sponsors. The government, it added, turned this problem into an opportunity, using government funds to pay the difference and letting Jagdeo take the credit.
“The move makes political sense, too. Soccer is more popular with Afro-Guyanese, a group that largely supports the opposition PNC/R party. The one wrinkle in the plan is that NCN is showing the World Cup matches late at night on tape delay, which has caused public grumbling among soccer fans.”
According to the cable, although this episode may seem innocuous, it underscores the extent to which Jagdeo and the state media have tried to portray his presidency as “benevolently overseeing his personal fiefdom.”
The government has been a steadfast financial supporter of domestic football over the years with annual contributions to the Kashif and Shanghai organisation for their end of year tournament, the biggest on the local calendar.
Additionally, its benevolence also reaches to the entertainment scene with event promoter Hits and Jams a regular beneficiary of tax waivers for major entertainment artistes to perform at its annual “Jamzone Summer Break,” another event which draws tens of thousands of mostly Afro-Guyanese.
The ruling PPP/C government draws most of its support from Indo-Guyanese
source
