Background: the right to sport and exercise is enshrined in the constitution

The Institute of Sport and Recreation (INDER, according to its initials in Spanish) of Medellín in Colombia is the decentralised department of the mayor’s office that is responsible for promoting physical activity, sport and recreation. INDER was created in 1993 in response to the state’s new constitution of 1991, which stated in Article 52 that1: ‘The practice of sport… has as its goal the shaping of well-rounded people, protecting and enhancing their health.’ And, that: ‘Sport and recreation are part of one’s education and are the subject of public funds. The right of all people to sport, recreation and the best use of their free time is recognised. The state will promote these activities and will inspect, monitor and control sport and recreation organisations, whose structure and ownership must be democratic.’1 The mission and vision of INDER is still very much in keeping with the constitution: to promote physical activity, sport and recreation through programmes and facilities that help shape well-rounded people, help improve quality of life and help make Medellín a fairer, more inclusive and more tolerant city.2

INDER has grown from a workforce of …