The advice and warning came from Keisha MacQuan, Centre Manager – North, First Citizens Investment Services, as she spoke to the women about “Creating a secure financial future. Reminding them about their mother’s and grandmother’s advice when they were going out on dates as young women to always have their “vex” money in case they fell out with their dates and had to get back home on their own, she said women in relationships should always have their vex money – in these times, money in terms of savings and investments.

She said that it is easy to begin investing and it is only a myth that you need a lot of money to invest.

She said that in addition to serving as the primary caregivers in the home, women buy on behalf of the people they live with and “are the gatekeepers for their household expenses.” She added that women are generally the ones who shop around to find a good deal while men usually tend to buy what they want when they see it.

“So if we are savvy enough to manage our household expenses then we should also be knowledgeable enough to invest those funds.” She said that according to the Harvard Business Review, women are the ones who make the purchasing decisions in seventy to eighty percent of households; eighty to ninety percent of women will be responsible for their finances at one point or another in their lives and sixty percent of people who live in poverty are divorced women.

She advised the women to make sure they know what is happening with their finances both in good and bad times, warning that some men hide their money in case things go bad in their relationship. She said incomes of most men tend to increase after a divorce while it is the opposite for women. She said most women only start to save and invest after marriage while men tend to save consistently through their lives and asked how many women have organised wills; are prepared for retirement or to deal with the death of a spouse; for single life; the loss of a spouse’s income or to deal with finances and debt on their own.

Dr. Kamla Mungal, Director, Accreditation and Quality Enhancement Centre/Leadership Institute at the University of the West Indies and the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, addressed the audience about The Art of Transformation: Self and Society. She told the women that they are better than their environment and have the capacity to make it better. She said they will never influence the world by trying to be more like it and they should not be afraid of their individualism.

She continued, “I reiterate what I have stated on many previous occasions; that violence against women is unacceptable, cannot be tolerated and every effort ought to be made to bring the perpetrators of these acts against the human rights and dignity of women to justice.”

According to Persad-Bissessar, “As long as young women cannot safely walk down the Brian Lara Promenade without being followed and harassed; we know we still have work to do.”

She noted that while comments that a woman’s attire is an invitation to violence still abound in our society, including from those in leadership positions, “we know that there is still some way to go in changing the attitudes and behaviours that facilitate violence against women.”

Reiterating her promise as Siparia MP to “continue to champion and promote policies and positioned targeted to eliminate violence and discrimination against women,” Persad-Bissessar stated, “When I became Prime Minister, I recognised that there was still significant work to be done in the sphere of women’s issues.”

She reiterated this was why she established the Gender, Youth and Child Development Ministry under her former People’s Partnership (PP) administration.

He was responding to questions regarding the situation at the Ramai Trace Hindu School in Penal where parents and students of the of the school protested along the SS Erin Road on Thursday morning calling on Minister Garcia to complete their school so that they can be comfortably housed. The students are currently housed at the Hanuman Milan Temple in Rock Road Penal but parents say the accommodation is not adequate.

Yesterday morning when parents arrived at the temple to drop off their children, they were greeted by locked gates.

PTA President Indar Jairaj said parents have now taken a decision to keep their children at home until the new school is opened. Jairaj said the new school is 95 percent complete.

Speaking during an interview yesterday, Maharaj said students are suffering. “There are five newly built Maha Sabha schools that are almost completed but are yet to be opened,” he said, adding that thousands of students are suffering as they are forced to study in unsuitable venues.

Schools located in Reform, Rousillac, Arima, Endeavour and Claxton Bay are ninety-five percent completed and are awaiting the minister’s attention. He also named a pre-school in El Dorado that is also waiting to be opened. “Whenever we try to find out why the Minister is not attending to these schools we get a response that says they are investigating the construction of the schools and as a result they cannot attend to the school.

What is this investigation about? We need to know,” Maharaj said.

Maharaj pointed out that the parents are taxpayers and they should be given their due at the end of the day.

He reminded that the Minister of Education got the second largest grant in the last budget, yet schools and students are suffering. Taking a jab at the government, Maharaj said while the current government has stopped the distribution of laptop computers our Caribbean neighbour is moving ahead.

“We see Jamaicans are now doing their exams on their laptops so we are backward in this regard,” he said.

Curtis Cummings, 50, a father of two, told relatives a man from Freeport had called him to build a wall.

The relative said he left Marabella on Thursday and decided to stay in Freeport instead of travelling back and forth from La Brea. He continued to communicate via his cellphone with relatives.

However, on Sunday November 20, he called to say that the man he was working for was refusing to pay him. That was the last time relatives said they heard from him and subsequent calls to his cellphone went to voice mail.

A missing person’s report was filed on November 20 at the La Brea Police Station and police confirmed the report. However, the matter was referred to the Marabella Police Station, since Cummings was last seen in Tarouba.

The relative described him as a quiet, straight-forward person who did not drink alcohol or smoke — Anyone with information is asked to contact the La Brea Police Station at 648-7444 or the Marabella Police Station at 652-6777.

On Sunday, the ground and pavilion were jointly commissioned by the MP for La Horquetta/ Talparo Maxie Cuffie and Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith, who witnessed the third place and finals of the constituency’s community football league.

Speaking at the event, Smith said: “Today’s event is about returning sport to the communities and allowing athletes and spectators alike a safe and comfortable environment to do so. We often overlook the fact that sport can unite communities and the evidence of that is right in front of me. Enjoy the matches today and take care of your facility!” The playing field and car park were upgraded in phase one of the project by the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago and the lights were provided by the Ministry of Public Utilities, while the pavilion was refurbished with funds from the state agency Community Improvement Services Limited (CISL).

In the football league final, Talparo Blast shook the net first, however Las Lomas Sporting Academy came from behind to tie the match 2-2. Las Lomas emerged the champions, beating Talparo Blast 4-3 on penalties, while Brazil United defeated Shoeaholics Wallerfield 2-1 for the third place trophy. Las Lomas Sporting Academy also collected the lion’s share of the league awards.

HONOUR ROLL:

Final: Las Lomas SportingAcademy 4-3 (penalties) TalparoBlast

Third Place: Brazil United 2-1Shoeaholics Wallerfield

Most Outstanding Goalkeeper:Ruel Guerra, LLSA

Most Outstanding Defender:Keon Russell, LLSA

Most Outstanding Midfielder:Michael Baptiste, Talparo Blast

Most Outstanding Forward:Colin Williams, Talparo Blast

Most Promising Player: EmmanuelRussell, LLSA

Most Goals: Kareem Scott,LLSA

MVP: Keon Russell, LLSA

Most Disciplined Team: LLSA.

The three-year-old chestnut Merlin Samlalsingh- owned colt developed a fever on Wednesday, and although fit again after treatment, it was decided to leave him indoors.

So tomorrow’s Caribbean Champion Stakes will be down tothree Derby winners to contest the 1800 metres race – Bigman In Town, Free Passage and Momentum The “Bigman” is returning after missing all last year due to injury, while Momentum, since winning the triple crown has had a poor run and Free Passage who has been returning to form lately.

Meanwhile speedy filly Set Sail and unbeaten Cactus Treasure will be featured in head-to-head battle in the Futurity Stakes to be run over 1100 metres.

Turfites will have a single winner bonus of over $29,000 to aim for on the popular Hi5. First race on the day’s eight-race programme is timed to begin at 1 pm.

This game will take place at the Hugo Francis Recreation Ground in Chaguanas, starting at 3.30 pm.

The other game on today’s agenda will feature mid-table outfit Barrackpore United away to Youth Stars at the Cyd Gray Ground in Roxborough, starting at 5 pm.

Second-placed University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT ) will face Saddle Hill Hotspur in the final Match Day 14 fixture on Wednesday, at a venue and time to be determined.

In related news, the league issued a media release earlier this week stating, “Carenage United has officially withdrawn from the competition. As such in fairness to the other participating clubs, the league has made the decision to nullify the results of all Carenage’s games played or not played in Round Two of the League competition.” And in addition, the League noted that “TT Prisons (were) awarded three points and three goals for the game (defaulted by) Youth Stars.”

Ramkissoon made the plea at the closing ceremony and awards of the annual 9-a-side football league last weekend.

Take That and Cool It defeated Boys Town 3-2 in extra time to win an exciting final and walk away with $30,000 sponsored by Caribbean Welders.

2015 winners Biche placed third while 2013 title holders Dream Team settled for fourth spot.

“We are crying out for facilities here. We want lights so the final can be played in the night and a pavilion to host these kinds of functions,” he said during the prize-giving ceremony which was held at his residence.

He lamented though the poor state of the roads which has resulted in a decrease in number of teams which took part in 2016. Twelve teamns took part this year which was a drop from 16 in 2015. Delving into a bit of politics, Ramkissoon said he believes if more sportsmen are elected into office then sports in the community will be better served.

“We want a sportsman in the corporation.

Some of them elected can’t even pitch a marble; I believe if we have one there we will be able to see some progress and development.

Give (Anthon) Wolfe a chance,” he said.

He also thanked former (People’s Partnership) Sports Minister and Member of Parliament for Toco/Sangre Grande, Dr Rupert Griffith, for building a box drain around the Fishing Pond recreation ground during his tenure.

Meanwhile, Peter Park, Managing Director of Caribbean Welders, said he is still hoping a women’s league is introduced to Fishing Pond in the future.

He added that the league took games to Biche and North Oropouche this year to help foster community spirit and believes they have achieved that with tremendous turnout of spectators at games there.

Hart, who served as head coach of the national team for almost three and a half years, was relieved of his duties on Thursday. In a media release on Thursday, the TT FA stated that they, and Hart “have agreed to part ways with immediate effect. This follows a meeting held (hours earlier) between Hart and members of the TT FA Board of Directors.” “Well to be honest there were a lot of rumours around and people called and said they had heard this and they had heard that. As a coach when you have a couple bad results you always feel (you can get fired), especially with the history of the TT Football Association and their behaviour towards coaches. I think I am the 29th coach since 1990. It’s almost predictable,” Hart explained in a frank interview with Newsday.

Hart’s sacking comes days after national football team doctor Terrence Babwah and physiotherapist Dave Isaac resigned. It was reported in another newspaper that Babwah tendered his resignation due to Hart playing an “injured” goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams against the advice of Babwah. Williams has since denied being injured while Hart said he is still flabbergasted by the claims being made against him.

“We’ve (Babwah) always had a very good professional relationship.

I was dumbstruck on what I read on Monday when I woke up and can’t come to terms with it and I don’t know where it came from,” Hart said.

Does he have any regrets or feels any resentment towards the TT FA? “Not at all. I think under the circumstances and with the tools I was given, I did the best job possible.

I had a wonderful staff, they went above and beyond the call of duty. I was always grateful to the players because they were a fantastic bunch to work with and they endured a lot in order to represent their country.” TT have started the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying on a losing note, falling 0-2 to Costa Rica and 1-3 to Honduras.

Looking back at his time as coach of the national team Hart said it was an enjoyable experience.

“Yes of course (I enjoyed it). We had some good moments and we had some not so good moments but that is the nature of football and it’s not for a lack of trying.” Among his achievements was guiding the national team to the knockout stage at successive Gold Cup compettions with TT even topping their group in 2015.

Hart said he plans to take some time away from football before he decides what is next for him professionally.

“They (TT FA) have made it clear I don’t have a place in TT football. We will see what happens, I have not sat down and take in all of this as yet. I will take a little break, maybe try and see my children and then start to think about that after the Christmas season.” Hart added, “they (TT FA) are moving in a different direction and at this moment I am not part of that and I accept that.” However, the former national team coach says TT can still qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“I continue to maintain I think we have a good chance to push for the fourth position, even the third position considering the results that have happened to the United States.” TT are currently in fifth position on the six-team standings in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying with the top three teams qualifying automatically and the fourth place finisher going into a playoff.

In an interview on television channel Sportsmax yesterday TT FA president David John-Williams sought to clear the air as to why Hart was sacked. John-Williams explained, “we have zero points from two games. The results in the last couple of games has not gone for TT , including a loss to Martinique that would have prevented us from an automatic qualification for the Gold Cup, we have to go into a playoff. The results for the last year has been really disastrous.

We failed to qualify for Copa Centanario, we just barley made it against Guatemala, we got a hammering in the US and we lost at home to Costa Rica and away to Honduras. The results just have not gone for us.” John-Williams added, “I am on record saying that Stephen Hart is going to be judged by his results in competitive games and not friendly games. World Cup qualifying is a result oriented business and I am on record saying that Stephen Hart is going to be judged by the results on the pitch and the results on the pitch have not been very good.” The TT FA president confirmed that 14 or 15 coaches have been contacted as a replacement for Hart, but they have not narrowed down the list yet.

After the teams battled to a 1-1 draw after regulation time, Trinity prevailed in penalties 5-4 after both teams attempted eight kicks. St Anthony’s were not clinical from the spot as they missed their final three attempts as the pressure told in sudden death.

Trinity grabbed the lead in the first half through a 15th minute strike from Isaiah Mclean before St Anthony’s equalised mere minutes before the final whistle.

A tactical change by the Trinity coaching staff proved to be an excellent decision as goalkeeper Desean Bowen was substituted for fellow goalkeeper Caleb Moore. Moore showed his talent in the shootout saving three times to help lead Trinity to the title.