The Ministers of Sport, Multiculturalism and Finance should help sports and cultural groups acquire stocks or share options from their sponsors should these groups desire this form of compensation.

Many of our cultural groups proudly advertise the names of their sponsors nationally and internationally and can also be seen and heard on the print and electronic media.

The original names of some groups are sometimes usurped to those of their sponsors. Dr Leroy "Black Stalin" Calliste reminded us of this practice in a calypso called "Whey I Band". One remembers Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra being referred to as "Catelli" (the name of a former sponsor) for many years after their formal association ended.

The value that these groups add to their sponsors is priceless and is sometimes equivalent to, or even greater than, that of some sponsors' executives, many of whom enjoy transient relationships with their companies while some of our groups have remained loyal to their sponsors as much as 46 years in one case.

Should stock options be made available for these groups it may be necessary to put checks and balances in place to ensure these stocks cannot be re-sold to third parties and by so doing prevent vultures from obtaining ways to gain control of the sponsor.

I am hopeful those legal luminaries who have always demonstrated love for the arts, sports and culture will assist in this regard, if approached, as there may be legal obstacles to overcome in order to realise this objective.

David Maunday

Belmont