 The Mister Venezuela pageant was started under the guardianship of Osmel Sousa and María Kallay with the intent of creating a male contest with the same discipline, quality and success as its female counterpart (Miss Venezuela).The first contest was held on July 17, 1996 and the winner was contestant number 20, José Gregorio Faría.In the fifth edition, aired November 22, 2000, 26 men represented every state and region in Venezuela; they wore scarfs rather than the sashes used in female pageants.