The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

WITH a pledge of $75,000, Walker Industries will be the new title sponsor for the World-Famous Valley Boys, replacing Baha Mar.

However, the group has still not received $30,000 in seed funding from the government, according to Brian Adderley, leader of the “Valley Boys” faction that will be allowed to participate as an A-group in the upcoming Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Junkanoo parades.

Mr Adderley announced the new sponsorship partnership at a press conference saying it reinvigorates the group’s efforts to prepare for the parades.

Baha Mar senior vice-president Robert Sands later told The Tribune that the company would not support a “divided Valley Boys”.  

Dolan Russell, general manager of Walker Industries Limited, highlighted the significance of its collaboration. 

“This is more than a title sponsorship,” he said. 

“It is a union between two forces with a shared vision to nurture, preserve, and elevate the culture and community of The Bahamas. Together, we pledge to keep Junkanoo thriving and inspire the next generation of creatives and continue making meaningful contributions to the development of our communities.” 

As part of the ongoing sponsorship, Walkers Industries will be actively involved in the group’s outreach initiatives and community activities. 

The Valley Boys group has faced internal division throughout this year, with disputes over leadership between Brian Adderley’s faction and Trevor Davis’s “Way Forward” group. The government attempted to mediate but failed to resolve the conflict. For the upcoming Junkanoo parades, the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) has said Mr Davis’s group will participate only as a “fun group”.  

Youth, Sports, and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg in September announced that each Valley Boys faction would receive $30,000 in seed funding. However, two months later, Mr Adderley said his group has not received any funds. 

“We haven’t received any government seed funding as yet, even though we’re the oldest Junkanoo group and even though our late leader, Vincent Gus Cooper, was one of the leaders that petitioned the government to introduce seed funding to Junkanoo groups,” he said. “We haven’t received any seed funding as yet and nobody has told us why.”

Mr Bowleg could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Mr Adderley said the JCNP has tried to seek clarification on the matter but has not been successful, calling it “unfair” while noting how the lack of seed funding puts the group at a disadvantage and frustrated group members. He estimated it costs $350,000 to $500,000 to prepare for a competitive Junkanoo parade.

“If anyone else still wants to come and give us some financial assistance, we won’t say no, and I’m sure Walkers wouldn’t be upset about that,” he said. 

While acknowledging that the new found partnership would significantly help in addressing some of the expenses they anticipate incurring, Mr Adderley said it will not cover all costs.

When asked about Baha Mar’s relationship with the Valley Boys, Mr Adderley described it as a “good working relationship” and expressed optimism about future support.

However, Mr Sands said, “We are not sponsoring a divided Valley Boys” and urged the public to “stay tuned” for further updates.