The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer
jgibson@tribunemedia.net

PAINTBALL is the newest activity on the block. Promoters of the game are pushing back on the misconception that it teaches gun use and promotes violence.

A reasonable misconception, as players use instruments that resemble real guns. But in the case of paintball, the weapons are referred to as markers and are loaded with paint. 
Shaw Mckinney, owner of the Playground Paintball Arena located on Bernard Road, said paintball does not promote violence, but rather, can be a character building activity that emphasises teamwork and cooperation.

On September 22, the Playground Paintball Arena will team up with Top Tier Entertainment to host a paintball tournament at the Stapledon Gardens Park. The proceeds from the event will benefit R.E.A.C.H foundation. 
Combating negative ideas about paintball is something Mr Mckinney said he had to do tirelessly to get the approval to operate.

“I had meetings upon meetings with the Commissioner of Police, Ellison Greenslade to get the approval to operate. What I did notice during that time was that there was a lack of knowledge about paintball. None of the officers ever played the game and they saw it as something that teaches people how to use guns. But what changed their minds is that the commissioner played paintball before, and he understood the game, and that was how it happened,” he told Tribune Entertainment.
Paintball is usually played on a game field.

The most basic game rule is that players must attempt to accomplish a goal without being shot and marked with a paintball. It is similar to tag or a game most Bahamian children are familiar with “pocking”, where players are tagged with a ball.
In the game, players must be equipped with a mask or goggles, paint markers and paint balls.
One of the first things Mr Mckinney said he lets people know when they come to play, is paintball is not a means for learning how to shoot guns.

“The first thing I tell some of them, so that they do not get any ideas, is that real gangsters do not want to play with guns. Another thing I let them know is that we do not call the equipment used in the game guns, we call them markers. In the past we have hosted events for church groups, and different businesses because paintball is team a building game.

I have had grown men who played the game said it was the most fun they have had since they went to Disney World,” he said.
Before starting the Playground Paintball Arena Mr Mckinney said he was not exposed to the game and did not know how to play. After seeing it on television his interest peaked. He began researching the game to get a good grasp of how it is played.

In order to set up his own paintball arena, this required taking a few courses in Johnson City, Tennessee.
The idea to introduce the Playground Paintball Arena was born out of boredom, he said.

“I was watching television one day, just out of boredom because there was nothing to really do. I saw it on television and I thought it would be cool to start doing my own thing,” said Mr Mckinney.

“I thought playing paintball is something different to do. Many times you hear people say there is not anything really to do, but this is something different and it is whole lot of fun.

When played correctly, paintball is one of the safest sports. It is also fun for the family as well,” he said.
Mr Mckinney said one of his goals is to host PSP, one of the biggest paintball tournaments here in the Bahamas. He is working towards that goal.