By Stephan Sookram

THE National Sports Commission refuses to be left out of the hype and excitement of Guyana’s Golden Jubilee celebrations and is planning a major initiative which will climax during Guyana’s Independence period. 50 Shades of games, an initiative coined and spoken about by Sport Director Christopher Jones, is an ongoing programme of the NSC specifically aimed at providing sporting activities for persons. According to Jones, the aim of the event is to have sport delivered throughout Guyana in an attempt to promote unity and togetherness.
Jones says, “It forms part of social cohesion so lots of the events and activities’ are coordinated in that light; to bring families together, to bring friends together, to bring communities together.”
Jones, however, noted that not all the activities surrounding the 50 Shades will be professional sports.
He added, “The concept is not only disciplines in terms of games that we are accustomed to but noting that we are doing the 50th anniversary, there will be novelty games as well, going back to the old ‘Chinee’, hopscotch and so forth.”
Those professional sports, however, will be expected to fill a particular mandate.
“Several events and activities that will be sponsored by the National Sports Commission will have to be titled by it. We would have had the first two events during last week, the first of which was done by the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) and the other by the West Demerara Football Association with a current tournament in Region 3,” said the director.
These events, the Sport Director said will take place between July and August when school is out, to allow for family fun and of course one of the major venues during that time is the National Park.
Other events he noted will be held in various parts of the country as he plans to decentralise the sport, adding, “The 50 Shades of games will be done throughout the length and breadth of the country.”