“Voters express very little interest in the local elections and there is widespread disenchantment with both the ruling PNM administration and opposition UNC,” NACTA said in a statement on Friday. “Many say their hopes and expectations for the promised change of September 2015 have been shattered as their living conditions have worsened over the last year. “Nevertheless, the PNM has the advantage to win the local elections as UNC is not showing any traction with voters saying it is not a credible alternative.” The latest poll sees a close battle for control of Siparia, Chaguanas, and Sangre Grande corporations, but with the PNM retaining the corporations it controls and making some gains. “Less than 20 percent of eligible voters say they will cast ballots in the elections,” said NACTA. “There is more enthusiasm among PNM supporters than among UNC supporters. This gives the PNM an advantage to retain or capture swing electoral districts, and, as such, maintain, or wrest control of, or tie certain certain corporations (like Rio Claro and Chaguanas) currently controlled by the UNC.” The survey suggests the UNC is leading PNM four to three in Siparia, with two seats too close to call which will determine control of the corporation. In Chaguanas, UNC is leading PNM four to two, with two seats too close to call the latter which will decide if it is a tie or a UNC controlled corporation.

In Sangre Grande, PNM is leading in six seats and the UNC in two seats, but with four seats uncertain, with a PNM sweep not impossible. No other party will win a seat in Grande, and they are viewed as spoilers as they will lose their deposits, NACTA said.

“Turnout will be key to the electoral outcome in swing districts, and so far the PNM has the advantages of incumbency with resources of the State at its disposal.” PNM will win Sangre Grande Based on this trend NACTA predicts a PNM win of all eight seats on the Toco/Sangre Grande Regional Corporation.

“With the political opposition badly divided in the Sangre Grande regional corporation, the incumbent PNM is on course to create history by sweeping all eight seats up for grabs,” said NACTA. “The three way split in the opposition base makes it an almost walkover for the PNM.

The party faces virtually no threat of losing.” The poll, by NACTA head Dr Vishnu Bisram, is based on an ongoing field study and polls done over the last four months.

“Based on trends in this survey and the findings of recent surveys, the PNM will comfortably retain four of the five seats it is defending in Grande,” said NACTA.

“It is also leading in two other seats and the UNC is leading in two seats, but neither party has a majority in those four seats suggesting they can go either way.” NACTA said the other two parties in the fray will not win a seat but lose their deposits, and be seen simply as spoilers in a PNMUNC fight.

“Voters are disenchanted with the PNM but they do not consider the UNC or the minor parties as credible alternatives,” said NACTA. “They want something different that is not anywhere in the horizon.” NACTA predicts the PNM will win two aldermen and the UNC will get one, with the fourth likely to go to the UNC, even though the PNM could actually win all four.

“It is not improbable for PNM to sweep all four aldermen if the opposition votes are severely divided for each party to cause the UNC to fall well below 25 percent minimum threshold mark; the UNC is just floating above that mark.”Saying the division of the opposition helps the PNM, NACTA said a united opposition could have put up a good fight. An earlier NACTA poll in Diego Martin and in Port-of-Spain also predicts sweeps of all the seats and aldermen.

While Government has not yet stepped in the band has been revived and is moving forward.

Sunday Newsday chatted with former band manager and current interim band manager Tamba Gwindi about the band’s future.

“The band is back in performance mode,” he explained.

He reported the band had formed an interim executive among the members and has been re-branded from Divine Echoes to “DE Big Band”. He also reported they have been assisted by Metal Industries Company Institute of Technology with a space to rehearse in Macoya and they have been rehearsing two days per week.

“The idea is to get back into the scheme of things and perform as a band. Do concerts throughout the year. Do as much stuff as we can,” he explained.

Gwindi said the greater idea is to form an institution that teaches music and for the band to also be involved in the business of recording and dissemination of knowledge.

“A big kind of goal,” he acknowledged.

The band was first formed in 2007 by Patrick Manning in an attempt to revive the “big band era.” In 2012, under the People’s Partnership administration, the Divine Echoes contract ended and was not renewed. Since then, Gwindi recalled the musicians who comprised the band worked in other capacities.

The band fully got back together in July to perform at the funeral for Manning. The band also performed at a memorial function for Manning at the Academy for the Performing Arts in San Fernando though in a smaller configuration than they had at the funeral.

Gwindi explained that for the funeral former Divine Echoes members who had moved on to the Fire Services band were organised to rejoin them. He said, however, they are currently a 20-piece unit and not a 30-piece band as before.

“What happening now is a consolidation of the efforts of the members to bring back the big band concept,” he explained.

Since their return DE Big Band had their premiere performance on November 10 as part of the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition. Gwindi said it has been “great” to have the members playing together.

“People have gained a lot more experience as performers and are sounding pretty good,” he said.

And what about Brian Manning’s appeal to the Cabinet to revive the band? Gwindi reported they have not had any contact at all from the Government and the band has not reached out to them.

Back in July following the funeral for Manning, Public Administration and Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie and Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi told reporters that Brian Manning’s request to revive Divine Echoes and to establish a regional housing fund for low income housing called the “Patrick Manning Housing Development Fund”, would be considered by Cabinet.

Last week, Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly informed Sunday Newsday via text that “there has been no discussion on the topic (of Divine Echoes) thus far”.

Gwindi said the door is not closed to working with the Government but they have been focused on pulling the band together and “being a functioning unit again”. Asked if he was hopeful of Government assistance, Gwindi responded they are fully aware that the status the band held in terms of how it was maintained “would not materialise in the future”.

He explained that then it was under the Office of the Prime Minister and they had the issue of the upkeep with monthly salaries.

“At this moment we are not expecting something like that with the economy as it is,” he added.

He explained Divine Echoes’ initial mission statement spoke of community work and producing musical and educational products. He further explained they were supposed to have become sustainable and eventually weaned off the support from the Office of the Prime Minister. He said these sustainable initiatives are a major part of what they are now working towards.

Gwindi recalled that previously they were not able to reach out to a whole lot of young people though they did a “little bit” and visited some schools and had them visit the band room.

“But the potential and scope we had…was not achieved. With the contract not renewed we were not allowed the opportunity to take it where it could have gone,” he explained.

Asked whether DE Big Band will be seeking to implement the original mission statement, Gwindi responded “aspects of it”.

He said to fulfill the expanse of responsibilities would have been limited under the Office of the Prime Minister and they were not aware how to run a band of that size.

“It was not designed to have a band functioning under it,” he added.

He said former Prime Minister Manning was “going out on a limb” and while under the Office of the Prime Minister they had their “ups and downs”.

He said currently the band is in discussion on issues which they could raise with Government regarding projects they want to do and would require assistance.

Gwindi pointed out that DE Big Band was in an exciting time.

“Trinidad tends not to really recognise what it has. There are young people dedicated to music like this,” he stressed.

DE Big Band will be performing at MovieTowne on December 3 at 8.30 pm.

Giselle was this country’s first and, so far, only winner of this prestigious pageant.

It was while working at TECU Credit Union that Giselle was encouraged by Brenda Joy Fahey to enter the Miss Trinidad and Tobago competition which she won as the Miss World entrant.

Says this woman, now 53, whose feet have remained firmly planted on the ground: “I went and won the prelims and filming held in Macau (in China), and then the finals in London.

It was an amazing experience and I did not expect it to happen. I won the Queen of the Americas trophy also.

“I spent the year travelling to at least 25 countries on all the continents, as Ambassador for Miss World, raising funds for underprivileged children and orphans and those in hospitals needing assistance, made guest appearances, spoke at events and attended many fund raising activities.

“My most memorable time was spent with orphans in El Salvador, where I spoke in Spanish to the children and staff at the orphanage and spent time with the youngsters. It was just after a major earthquake so I visited the affected hospital to which we gave a donation and was able to see first hand where our money was going.” At the end of touring as Miss World, Giselle returned home and spent another year travelling in the region and to some other countries, making guest appearances, doing other charity work and endorsing events and products.

The year after, she decided to use the Miss World prize money to pursue a double degree in Communications and Sociology at the University of London’s Goldsmith’s College, at the end of which she spent six months carrying out internships at some of the Hilton Hotels in the United Kingdom, in anticipation of coming home to take up the position of public relations manager at the ‘upside down’ Hilton, then run by then general manager William Aguiton, where she says: “I spent nine years before moving to a similar position at Angostura, then managed by Ian Mc Lachlan, and have been with Angostura from 2001 to the present time, for 15 years.” She is Angostura’s corporate communications manager.

Giselle married Heathcliff West (actor/ events manager) in 1993 The union has produced two sons – Kye, 22, and Kristof, 17. Both are athletes of whom she is very proud.

But then they have followed in their mother’s footsteps as she speaks of having had a “healthy balance of academics and sports while at St Peter’s primary and secondary schools in Pointe-a- Pierre, and at St Francois Girls College in the North for A-Levels.

I played everything, was captain of one of the school’s netball teams, was a member of the swim team and athletic team – even breaking a school record in hurdles. I also played volleyball, badminton, and later lawn tennis and squash.” However it was in the past 30 years that the beauty queen started karate at age 29 and carries on to date, winning medals, not just locally, but at international competitions such as bronze in kata at the Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation (SKIF) world championships in Australia in 2012, and again at the SKIF world championships in Indonesia this past September (2016), a silver at the US Open Karate Championships, a month later in October, and has won gold at the US Open in 2014.

It is no wonder then that, Kye, who is in his final year on a football scholarship at College of Charleston, in the United States, and was a member of the TT Under- 20 National Football team, is also a black belt karateka and represented the country on the national karate team; while Kristof also a black belt who was on this year’s national karate team at the Caribbean championships in Trinidad, has also represented the country on the national waterpolo under-17 and under-19 teams at the Pan American Games and CCCAN.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Miss World has spent time teaching young women etiquette, deportment and general personal development; giving motivational talks in several schools and clubs; conducting networking skills, business etiquette training for Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business and various corporate companies in the country. She has been on the board of the Clico Credit Union for several years, and was president of the local branch of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) for three years, as well as being a founding member of the board.

Says this still beautiful woman who above all remains gracious, friendly and down-to-earth: “Through Angostura I have been able to continue my efforts in assisting the less fortunate and supporting various causes. I am patron to the Dream Foundation, supporter of victims of domestic violence and aligned with the Firm Foundation Ministries in Carapichaima, with great admiration for their band, which ministers to youth across the country, through their music.

“I hope to continue to have an impact on people I work with, the young men and women I meet and teach, and the children who cross my path. I want to encourage them to continue to strive for excellence and toward their goals, while trying to make the world a better place in whatever way they can especially preserving the environment for future generations.”

Therefore Colleen Malwah-Aqui of RODCO Home Essential, based in Tacarigua, is making the effort to harvest the benefits of these, albeit in a different form.

Malwah-Aqui is a manufacturer of handmade personal care items including soaps, body scrubs, lip balms, body lotion, body butters, face masks, face oils, body sprays and roll-on perfumes.

Some of her locally inspired soaps include Aloe Vera; Mango; Pumpkin, Papaya and Aloe; Noni; Goat Milk; Rachette and Yogurt (from Mount St Benedict Abbey); charcoal (from burnt bamboo); Tulsi – which is used to make tea; Neem and Carailli.

She noted that carailli has many vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants that help in the preservation of the skin. However, she said carailli does not have a natural scent so she uses grapefruit and tangerine essential oils to give it a pleasing aroma. Malwah-Aqui grew up bathing with rachette (a type of cacti), using it as soap and shampoo, and taking bush baths prepared by her grandmother.

Therefore, she also intends to develop a “bush bath” line of products dedicated to her grandmother.

“It is all part of my background growing up. I am a real country girl at heart. We are losing those traditions because many older folks are not passing them on. Instead of these natural remedies, everyone is buying pills, chemicals. People would rather go to the grocery and buy things ready-made than make them anymore. We need to bring some of those traditions back because they had incredible benefits.

We have a wealth of local raw materials available that I think we are now tapping into,” she said.

Malwah-Aqui has also developed a line of cocoa products including seven chocolate-inspired soaps namely Chocolate and Coconut Cream; Peppermint Mocha; Chocolate with Almond, Oatmeal and Honey; Chocolate and Orange; Chocolate and Hazelnut – which is chocolate with hazelnut coffee; Cocoa Butter and Coconut Milk; and an unscented Three-butter Soap (cocoa, shea, and aloe butter).

In fact, she said she uses cocoa butter in all her soaps.

“Cocoa has its benefits in eating, drinking and, of course, in skin care products but it’s not just about the numerous benefits to the skin. It’s also comes back to supporting our local farmers and our local industry because we have the raw materials. Even in my normal, everyday life, I try to use as many local products as possible,” she said.

Her soap-making journey all began because Malwah-Aqui felt the need to take better care of her skin as she got “younger.” She said her skin was not behaving or looking like it used to, including dry patches that no amount of lotions or oils would help. Since she was eating reasonably healthy, she figured that was not the problem so the next step was to take care of her skin using better products.

“In today’s world with all the smoke, the fumes we inhale, make-up, the things that we eat, we have to find better ways and means to take care of the only skin we’ve got,” she said.

Therefore, she started to do research and paid more attention to the labels of the skin care products available. She realised the ingredients were more chemical than natural and so turned to two of her friends, Sharon Benjamin and Desiree Phillip, who manufactured soaps.

“Their products were helping but I am a very curious person.

I wanted to go a little further than just buying a product. My interest went deeper than that.

I wanted to make them myself,” she said.

In addition, Malwah- Aqui said Benjamin and Phillip had only six or seven types of soaps while she wanted to try a wider variety.

Therefore, they assisted and guided her in making her own products.

They even suggested that she contact CARIRI to learn the chemical process of soap-making, which she did, and there she was assisted by a chemist.

Malwah-Aqui stated that another friend, Lisa Marie Griffith, had the same skin concerns and so they began their soap-making journey together. She thanked her friends for their love, advice, and support, saying that although they are technically business competitors, they maintain close friendships and continue to be happy for and proud of her.

And so, with friends at her back, and chemical formulae in her brain, Malwah-Aqui began manufacturing soaps in 1998.

She gave her friends and relatives the soaps she made and they enjoyed them so much that they encouraged her to sell.

Malwah-Aqui said her grandmother had a shop in Runny Mede, Tobago and from age six she would help sell goods. From a young age she developed a love and joy of having her own business and meeting people so the move from manufacturing to business was not a difficult transition.

After much study, experimenting, and expansion of her product line, she finally took the step in 2005 and registered RODCO Home Essentials.

However, the manufacture of personal care items is not all there is to Malwah-Aqui. She has also been making scented candles for the past 20 years, and has been teaching soap making for the past 14 years.

Now, RODCO Home Essentials can be found at Normandie Hotel in St Ann’s, The Cocoa Pod in Port-of-Spain, Akimbo in Arima, Bang Bang Home Store in Canaan, Tobago, Things Natural in Scarborough, Tobago, and many of the local craft markets.

Hector-Joseph was responding to an article in the Trinidad Guardian yesterday with the headline “Corrupt officials, workers ‘block’ ITNAC’s Haiti relief: Containers stuck on port”.

“ITNAC volunteer Deborah Dowlath spoke to a Guardian reporter (Friday) who asked about the containers of relief items shipped to hurricane-devastated Haiti. While Dowlath never explicitly spoke about corruption, her comments about her uncertainty over different clearance costs could be interpreted as suggesting corruption.

ITNAC would like to immediately clarify this miscommunication as we do not want citizens to think the aid is not reaching those in need and be deterred from donating to the cause,” she said.

Hector-Joseph explained that in Haiti there is no “normal fee” as there is in Trinidad and the broker in Haiti determines his fee.

“We therefore negotiated for the best fee based on the fact that these are relief goods and not for commercial use. Being responsible, we are waiting as the relief status of the goods is being assessed,” she added.

She stressed that ITNAC has “always enjoyed a good working relationship with all Haitian government agencies and officials and we are very appreciative our relationship with Guardian media in providing relief efforts to Haiti”.

She continued: “We thank everyone for their overwhelming support and we will share updates of our progress in Haiti via videos and photos on our Facebook page.” After Haiti was hit by Hurricane Matthew on October 17, ITNAC dispatched three containers of supplies including food, clothing, medical supplies and toiletries. Hector-Joseph explained that the containers have remained on the port because they have to be checked.

“They are more stringent with ascertaining that contents are indeed for relief purposes.

There is a process and we are almost to the end,” she explained.

Hector-Joseph reported the broker informed ITNAC that the containers would be coming in early this week. She also reported that a fourth container arrived in Haiti about Thursday last week and a fifth will be sailing this Friday.

Last week, Haiti interim President Jocelerme Privert reported the country is facing a major food crisis and aid from the international community is falling short. He reported that 2.1 million people were affected by the hurricane and a large portion of the country was devastated by high winds. The Haitian government estimates 1.5 million people need immediate assistance, including more than 140,000 people who are living in temporary shelters.

Hector-Joseph reported that ITNAC currently has a five member team in Haiti and on the ground “the need is great”.

“We will update people and keep them posted . We see it as a sacred trust . The delay has been because we are seeking to get the containers out at the lower fees. It is the best use of donor funds,” she added.

Donations to the ITNAC Haiti relief efforts can be made at First Citizens Bank 1660410 or Republic Bank 510009446802.

For more information email itnac.

missions@gmail.com.

The filly’s victory in the classic, gave new owner Brian Thomas a big thrill, and it also saw trainer Dr Antho ny Griffith saddling his first classic winner.

Jockey Nicholas Patrick kept Newthinginthong in mid-pack of the 10-horse field and sent the filly intohigh gear to sweep past Rocket Princess and final Effort 250 metres from the end of the 1800 metres race worth a total of $150,000.

And when tghe post came, Newthinginthong cruised to a 7 3/4 length victory with a running on Saint Honey in second. Twoyear- old Golden Choice qwas an impressive winner over 1200 metres, beating the older horses rated 50-35 by a comfortable four lengths, with Peace N Glory trailing in second in the good time of one minute 13.0 seconds (hand timed).

The 12-year-old Seal The Deal was a surprise winner of the day’s second event returning $8.60 and $4.20 on the tote.

But US Marshall was best on tote rewarding backers with $25.20 and $2.30.

The day’s under-card, the 1350 metres extended sprint for horses rated 80-60, was cheekily won by Holy Man, nicknamed “The Pope.

The Shaffique Khantrained runner got home by a head on front Free Passage who was a half length ahead of the consistent Swept Away.

Ronald “Tiger” Ali lengthened his lead over current champion Prayven Badrie in the race for the jockeys title.

He landed two more winners yesterday to take his season’s tally to 38, while Badrie drew a blank yesterday to remain on 35..

Biggest Hi5 dividend of the day came in the fifth race on the cmbination of Poppy Love, All Is Yours, Theradioannouncers, Always Ready and Kentucky Woman – $8,436.20.

Central will take on Morvant Caledonia United from 3.30 pm today at the Morvant Recreation Ground with both two-time former First Citizens Cup champions vying for a place in the semi-finals on November 22.

The Morvant Recreation Ground, which is glorified as one of the best supported venues across Trinidad after hosting just two Digicel Pro League contests this season, will mark its debut in a knockout competition – the First Citizens Cup — which brings with it a number of fan giveaways and entertainment on and off the field.

The Park Street venue had estimates averaging between 2,500 and 3,000 spectators when home side Morvant Caledonia hosted San Juan Jabloteh on October 16 and Defence Force on November 6, but the playing surface didn’t stand well under rainy conditions in both instances.

“We won’t be able to open the field (and pass the ball around) like at the stadium and play nice entertaining football (because of the condition of the playing surface),” said Saunders. “So we expect it to be a dog fight. It’s something we will have to adjust to as any professional team must. We are professionals and the focus is just trying to win matches and win titles.

“We are happy with the effort of the Pro League to have games in the communities of clubs. It’s something that should have been done a long time ago – it augurs well for the league.” Morvant Caledonia, under their former name Caledonia AIA, won the First Citizens Cup back-to-back in 2011 and 2012, before Central FC, then a newly formed club, followed similar feat in 2013 and 2014. It was the first ever title lifted by Central, who are currently two-time reigning Caribbean Club Champions and two-time Digicel Pro League champions.

“It’s important to win this title again,” continued the Central coach. “It means a lot to us. So we will do everything possible within the rules of the game to try and be champions again.” Central will be without first choice goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams and ace forwards Marcus Joseph and Kenwyne Jones, who like Morvant Caledonia first choice goalkeeper Marvin Phillip, are currently with the Trinidad and Tobago national team for World Cup 2018 qualifiers, while there is some doubt over left fullback Kevon Villaroel with a thigh injury.

Saunders, though, who has led the Couva Sharks to five wins, including a 2-1 result over Morvant Caledonia on October 25, and one draw in six league games to dominate the Pro League standings, added that he has confidence in every available player.

Likewise, Morvant Caledonia coach Rajesh Latchoo has total confidence in his players including second choice goalkeeper Stephon Seepersad, who has just two starts this season.

“I am most confident in Stephon,” said Latchoo. “He and (goalkeeper) Hakim Lukas have showed improvement. Marvin (Phillip) has been a really good mentor to both Stephon and Hakim and now that Marvin isn’t here, the whole team is confident that we still have a good ‘keeper in the goal.” Latchoo’s side head into today’s quarter-final clash coming off back-to-back draws in the league against Club Sando (3-3) and Defence Force (1-1) and are sixth on the League standings—but have never won at the Morvant Recreation Ground after two attempts.

“Now is for the win,” continued Latchoo, whose side haven’t won a game since a 3-1 result over Point Fortin Civic at the start of their league campaign on September 30. “Our players are looking forward to this game, the staff are looking forward to this game.

“We are starting to get right.

“(Coming off back-to-back draws) helped a whole lot in terms of the confidence. It showed that we refuse to lose and that’s the first step in becoming winners. Our defenders are improving.

Once we don’t lapse and concede goals we would win the game because every single game we are going to score.”

This game is carded to kick off at 3.30 pm and features Defence Force, the 2015-2016 season champs, against Santa Rosa, who have led the standings for the majority of this year’s campaign.

Three other games are set to begin at 3.30 pm – Police versus Siparia Spurs at the St James Barracks, Queen’s Park versus Petrotrin Palo Seco at the Queen’s Royal College Ground and Club Sando Moruga versus Matura Re United at Grand Chemin Recreation Ground. Real Maracas will host WASA at the Maracas Recreation Ground in St Joseph at 4 pm while, an hour later, Marabella Family Crisis Centre will tackle Guaya United at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre.

Also at 5 pm, 1976 FC Phoenix will meet fellow Tobago-based team Bethel United at the Canaan Recreation Ground.

Bankers Insurance saw the need to spread awareness to the nation’s youths and have decided to embark on this through the HOPE Programme.

“There is a missing gap in some of the nation’s Primary Schools,” said Managing Director Vance Gabriel. “We saw a need to introduce sports to the schools as a form of discipline and motivation for kids.” This programme introduces basic sporting skills, which is conducted on the school grounds. It is also used as an avenue to educate the pupils on topics such as violence in schools, road safety, exercise and diet etcetra.

“I am from Enterprise and I want to show these kids that there is a life away from poverty and crime,” said Brand Ambassador Paul. “One of the schools we visit weekly is my primary school, Enterprise Government Primary School. thanks to Bankers Insurance I now have an opportunity to give back to my alma mater.” This programme is conducted throughout each school term in which six to eight schools are selected.

This term schools based in central are targeted.

School visits are scheduled around the available times of both Paul and Edwards to facilitate their ongoing boxing and football training respectively.

This project is well received by the school’s principals, teachers, parents and students.

“I believe HOPE can make a difference, the kids have so much fun training, and hearing about our stories and they are motivated to try harder and most importantly they now have HOPE,” said Edwards.

Bankers Insurance hopes that through this programme they can make a positive change on the nation’s youth.

Just under 200 students from public and private secondary schools across the country are expected to participate. The runners will vie for prizes and trophies in the Under-14, Under-16, Under-18 and Over-18 age divisions, as well as the top Boys and Girls schools. The winners are scheduled to receive their prizes after the completion of the race.

In addition to categories for secondary schools students, the organisers have added two more divisions: Education (for tertiary education students and teachers) and Open (members of the public).

A Fun Aerobics and Zumba session is planned for after the race to aid the competitors in cooling down.

The cost of registration is $20 per student and $100 per school.

Members of the public are invited to run at a cost of $40 per individual.

Registration forms can be downloaded from the website of the Trinidad and Tobago Secondary Schools’ Track and Field Association (TTSTFA) www.ttsstfa.

com. The deadline for registration is Thursday, and no registration will be done on the day of the race.

The 5K run is the second event on the 2016/2017 calendar of activities for the National Secondary Schools Track and Field Association (TTSSTFA).

The first event was the Cross-Country run held at the Queen’s Park Savannah on October 16. The TTSSFA will like to thanks all the competitors, staff, sponsors, parents and spectators, officials and members who participated in the cross-country and look forward to continued support in the 5k run. Special mention must be made of John Thatcher, Physical Education Curriculum officer from the main sponsor and supporter, Ministry of Education who was present at the Cross-Country run.

The vision of the TTSSTFA is to be the leader of track and field development in Trinidad and Tobago through: (a) the formulation of strategic relationships globally and in Trinidad and Tobago; (b) effective promotion of track and field initiatives; (c) professionally executed track and field events.

Among the achievements of the TTSSTFA during the 2014- 2016 term are (a) the signing of coverage contract for the 2017 National Track and Field Championships with regional Sports network SportsMax; (b) the introduction of the Health Fair and Aerobics cool down to the annual Cross-Country Championships; (c) the introduction of a press conference ahead of the annual Track and Field Championships; and (d) an updated and informative website.