The Tribune

WITH only 10 weeks leading up to the 50th Golden Jubilee Celebration of Independence, The Bahamas has been celebrating with a number of events.

Included in these activities was the celebration of Jubilee Day, May 5 when all Bahamians were encouraged to celebrate and do something that was uniquely Bahamian. This could have been the expression of our colours, dance, music or food.

As a part of these celebrations, schools throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas were also encouraged to put on activities to remind our young persons of their cultural heritage.

Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture Mario Bowleg visited Jordan Prince Williams Baptist School, during Jubilee Day, to encourage the young students to cherish their Bahamian culture and remind them of how important they are to carrying on what is uniquely us as a people.

According to Minister Bowleg, “50 Years ago, our then leaders of the Bahamas under the leadership of Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling had a dream for our nation. A dream of an independent people. A people who could decide their own direction and set a course for their future.”

Minister Bowleg reminded the students of the importance of cherishing the independence they now have, that was hard fought for by those who came before and to know that each of the students represented a brighter future for themselves as individuals, families and nation. “This year we celebrate 50 years of Independence. A Golden Jubilee as a nation, and independent people.

As a people we are proud of the many accomplishments we have made, but one of our greatest accomplishments is making a nation where our young people are able to dream and determine their own destinies as individuals and collectively as a nation.Today, we celebrate Jubilee Day, which is the continuation of our celebrations leading up to our 50th Independence celebration this year.”

One of the many activities planned to celebrate the upcoming Golden Jubilee is a return of The Bahamas Games. The Bahamas Games, dubbed The Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games, was first held in 1989.

The Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games will be held from July 7-15 this year.

With its Olympic-style and multisport discipline, The Bahamas Games was initially created to give Bahamian athletes throughout the archipelago an opportunity to showcase their athletic prowess while providing each sporting discipline’s federation with an occasion to discover new talent.

The games showcased the world-class talent possessed by Bahamians throughout our varied and unique islands, each known for being proficient in one sporting discipline or another.

According to Minister Bowleg, this is the 6th rendition of the games and is an opportunity for our people to come together in a spirit of competition, camaraderie and courage. “The Bahamas Games baton, which represents a symbol of hope, friendship, and unity has already begun its journey, beginning in Exuma and will end here in New Providence.

Once lit, the flames announce the commencement of the Games and spread the message of hope, friendship and unity throughout the archipelago.”

Minister Bowleg encouraged the young students if they had the confidence and courage to participate to sign up and represent their island of descendance.

This year’s Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games will include 16 disciplines with athletes representing 10 islands.

Some of the events will include track & field, basketball, soccer, swimming, boxing, golf, sailing and several other sporting disciplines.

According to Minister Bowleg, the theme for this year’s games is unity under the slogan, “Our Nation, Our Islands, Our Games.”

For more information you can check out the website on thebahamasgames.org or WhatsApp 809-1242 or follow The Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games on Tik Tok, and YouTube at @thebahamasgames and Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @thebahamagames.