THE Express opinion on May 21 titled ‘A sticky wicket’ is commendable since it really questions whether another cricket stadium will add value to our development.

While Dr Keith Rowley’s announcement, fresh off his trip to Ghana and India, brings a promising development to Trinidad and Tobago’s sports landscape, it also raises important issues which should be considered and resolved before proceeding.

Trinidad and Tobago already boasts of having 11 stadia for a population of 1.4 million, making our ratio one stadium for every 118,182 people. (Compare this with our former colonial masters, with a population of about 67 million and around 200 stadia, the ratio is about one stadium per 335,000 people).

The Diego Martin Stadium, the latest addition, remains under lock and key, unused by the community. Except for the Hasely Crawford Stadium, the Palo Seco Velodrome, and Skinner Parkthough it now has an undersized football field-the other stadia suffer from poor maintenance. This lack of upkeep renders these facilities under-utilised and often in disrepair.

Adding to the concern, the Brian Lara Stadium is frequently used for fetes, such as the infamous ‘Stink and Dutty’, rather than for its intended purpose. This misallocation of resources highlights a deeper issue: the chronic under-investment in maintaining existing infrastructure and fostering human capital.

Before embarking on yet another ambitious infrastructure project, it is imperative to consider the sustainability and utility of such investments. Our focus should shift from merely building new structures to effectively utilising and maintaining our current assets. More importantly, we need to invest in our people- developing talent, enhancing skills, and improving the overall quality of life.

While the new stadium backed by the Reliance Group symbolises a fruitful international collaboration, it also underscores the need for a balanced approach. We must prioritise the maintenance of existing infrastructure and invest in human capital to truly elevate Trinidad and Tobago’s sporting and social landscape. By focusing on our people, we can ensure that such projects bring lasting benefits to our nation. Please, not another stadium.

Dennise Demming