Thanks to the powers that be for reopening the Ato Boldon Stadium perimeter to everyday walkers and joggers after it was abruptly closed off to the public. As a regular user, like many others, I had to switch to the roadway outside the stadium and along the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Balmain, Couva.
While the sporting facility serves as a venue for football, athletics, cycling, and swimming events and a training centre for elite athletes, its significance extends far beyond the realm of professional sports.
Reopening the vicinity of the stadium for public access — particularly for walkers and runners — is not merely an admirable idea; it is a crucial step in promoting healthier lifestyles and enhancing the overall well-being of our community. Such an action aligns with the tenets of the National Sport Policy of T&T (2017-2027), which explicitly promotes the development of sport and sport for development.
The global call to move more
In 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) published revised guidelines recommending that individuals of all ages engage in regular physical exercise as an essential component of maintaining good health. Their message was straightforward and succinct: be more active, sit less. In its Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030, the WHO emphasized the critical need for communities to create safe, accessible areas—like parks, pathways, and sports facilities—that promote active living.
Reopening the perimeter of the Ato Boldon Stadium aligns directly with this global call to action, offering a secure, well-maintained, and inspiring environment where people can walk, run, and move freely in support of their health.
The Lancet 2024 Report: A wake-up call for T&T
A recent 2024 report by The Lancet on physical inactivity in T&T highlighted a troubling situation. It revealed that 40-49% of adults are not sufficiently active, a trend that significantly leads to the increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. These conditions place a significant burden on the healthcare system.
Consistent physical activity — including walking for 30 minutes daily — has been shown to reduce the risk of NCDs by up to 30%, according to WHO. Providing the public with access to a safe space, such as the stadium perimeter, can boost their physical activity and reduce their risk of illness.
Encouraging a healthier future
Governments around the globe acknowledge the importance of this investment: the WHO–OECD projects a return of about €1.70 for each €1 invested in promoting physical activity in Europe. Likewise, research by the Pan American Health Organisation indicates that health-promotion efforts can result in returns ranging from 2:1 to 4:1—and even up to 14:1 in certain studies conducted in the UK. (https://www.paho.org/en/news/5-2-2025-high-socio-economic-benefit-promoting-health-and-well-being)
Additionally, a worldwide economic assessment from RAND Europe estimates that increasing population activity to meet WHO guidelines (150 min/week) could enhance global GDP by US $138–338 billion by 2025 and as much as US $314–760 billion by 2050, while also resulting in significant savings in healthcare expenses.
(https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR4291.html?)
With the Ato Boldon perimeter now available to the public, the 400-metre grass surface at Gilbert Park, California, will also be reopened for walking and running.