KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports Olivia Grange says it is regrettable that Sting 2024 had to be postponed in spite of all the support her ministry offered to the organisers of the event.

The planned 2024 staging of Sting was cancelled hours before it was set to take place at Jamworld on Boxing Day reportedly after a major production company, Clearsound Production Services Group, pulled out of the event at the 11th hour.

READ: NO STING 2024

The news brought widespread disappointment for supporters of the event.

In a statement following the postponement, Minister Grange noted that Sting, the annual Boxing Day reggae and dancehall show, has been a centre stage event on Jamaica’s entertainment calendar for more than 40 years.

According to Grange, her ministry did its best to work through the issues with the promoters of Sting this year, inclusive of having high-level meetings with the team to provide guidance on logistics and promotion of the brand.

She said her ministry also provided the venue and set up support for the launch of Sting, as well as facilitating the hosting at Jamworld Entertainment Centre in Portmore, St Catherine.

“I have also publicly endorsed the show in furtherance of our commitment to the industry and in addition my ministry had earmarked sponsorship support to defray some of the expenses of the event. It is, therefore, regrettable that due to other issues with which they are faced, Sting 2024 had to be postponed,” Grange said.

The minister noted, however, that she continues to be in dialogue with the Sting team and looks forward to being advised of the new date for the staging of the event.

Sting has been the main platform for showcasing dancehall artistes over the years and has played a major part in launching and building many careers.