Athletes benefit from SporTT, UTC financial well-being workshop

Scores of young athletes received valuable guidance on financial literacy and long-term money management at Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) and SporTT financial well-being workshop hosted at the National Cycling Velodrome in Couva on July 29.

The one-day workshop featured an array of interactive presentations by UTC representatives who shared their knowledge of sound financial management with the attentive bunch of young sportsmen and women.

Sessions were geared towards athletes between the ages of 16 and 34 and focused on teaching participants how to invest, plan for the future, and build lasting financial stability.

With many young athletes aspiring to achieve the success of local sporting icons like Nicholas Pooran, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, the initiative aimed to ensure that when sporting careers fade, financial well-being does not.

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Phillip Watts, attended the session and hailed the turnout and enthusiasm from the country’s emerging athletic talent.

“Today, it’s all about financial literacy workshop with SporTT and UTC to help the athletes, especially the younger ones, as they go forward—teaching them how to invest their money,” Watts said. “This is about taking them from a young, tender age and giving them the tools to manage and grow their finances wisely.”

Watts added that most of the athletes in attendance expressed interest in opening accounts with UTC, with plans for SporTT to explore further support mechanisms for athletes going forward.

He also advised the young group to look beyond their potential careers and also put some time into their plans after sport.

“As athletes, we only shine from the age of maybe 16 to 35. After 35, life still goes on. You need to be financially sound and stable when that time comes.”

Watts was encouraged by the turnout and age range of attendees.

“I was very impressed to see that most of the athletes were under 21 years old. It shows they are serious about preparing for life beyond sport.”

Also in attendance were UTC executive director Nigel Edwards, session leaders Annissa Alfred-Pierre and Dexter Sandy (both of UTC), SporTT’s head of partnership and alliances Kairon Serrette, among several other members of UTC and SporTT.