16 THE FREEPORT NEWS Friday, September 21, 2018 SPORTS Government obligated to do better for sports PM’s comments favor more sports funding I read with great interest Nas- Bahama of an earlier era, are sau Guardian Sports Editor of a higher value, 10-20 times Sheldon Longley’s article that more than what we get from the provided comments from Prime tourism budget. Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis re- I wholeheartedly support that garding a greater financial focus position. I have emphasized that for the national sports program. reality in this space on many oc- The big question that rests casions. with me is whether in the mo- If Prime Minister Dr. Minnis is ment, the prime minister did a believer of what he has said, what politicians are known to then upping the annual national do, offer good sounding words, budget allocation for sports de- with no intent for meaningful velopment ought to be automat- follow-ups. ic for him. Other prime minis- “The government truly is com- Sports ters before Dr. Minnis never mitted to sports. Sports is very made that declaration. important because not only does Long-time Prime Minister Sir it enhance discipline, but it also Lynden Pindling demonstrated enhances leadership. In our so- Scope his high regard for sports by ciety, discipline is one of the im- establishing a ministry for the portant things that you need and by Fred Sturrup same, in 1977. His successors from that comes great leaders. have not done justice to the na- To be a successful athlete, you What I get from his comments tional sports program, financial- have to be disciplined, focused on this occasion though, is that ly. and determined. our awesome sports ambassa- Now, this prime minister “I would hope that we could dors such as Shaunae Miller makes an excellent comparison do more (for our athletes). The (who visited with him earlier between the quality exposure I would hope that we could do more (for our Bahamian people must under- this week), and Donald Thom- the country gets from our elite stand that we spend millions as, Jonquel Jones, Buddy Hield, athletes and the tourism budget. of dollars in tourism to market Waltiea Rolle, and Joanna Ev- Hopefully he will act accord- athletes). The Bahamian people must under- . Individuals like ans of this present time; and the ingly. The time is near indeed Shaunae and others are expos- Golden Girls (Pauline Davis, when Dr. Minnis and his Cab- stand that we spend millions of dollars in tour- ing The Bahamas to millions Chandra Sturrup, Eldece Clarke, inet will have to begin crunch- and billions of people. That in Savatheda Fynes and Debbie ing the numbers to craft the ism to market The Bahamas. Individuals like itself is 10-20 times more than Ferguson), Mark Knowles, 2019-2020 national budget. If the tourism budget,” the prime Tonique Williams and Chris Dr. Minnis is true to his belief, Shaunae and others are exposing The Bahamas minister was quoted. Brown of a just past era; and greater funding is to come for Sometimes, the PM is so very Sir Durward Knowles, Sloane the national sports program. to millions and billions of people. That in itself convoluted when he speaks. Farrington Cecil Cooke, Bobby •To respond to this column, He seems to contradict him- Symonette, Tommy Robinson, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at is 10-20 times more than the tourism budget.” self and there are occasions Elisha Obed, Gomeo Brennan, [email protected] or on when he is difficult to follow. Mychal Thompson and Yama WhatsApp at 727-6363). Prime Mininister Dr. Hubert Minnis Butler made his move – now it’s Wolves’ turn Now it’s Butler’s turn. the team of his unhappiness, be- — Hang onto him for a while ships in 1994 and 1995, led by and then eventually forced them TIM REYNOLDS It should be easy to deduce that cause not only did he potentially and see if he changes his mind; . People for- to send him to Phoenix. Chris AP Writer Butler can see himself with the limit Minnesota’s options but he — Work out a sign-and-trade; get that in 1992, he demanded Paul and have (AP) — Jimmy But- Clippers, New York or Brook- could have limited his own. — Make him play out the year. a trade in a very ugly situation forced trades, too. And it’s not ler knows that NBA players can lyn, since all of those teams will “You should always try to get Butler was their leading scor- sparked by the Rockets thinking a new thing — Wilt Chamber- force their way into trades. have the cap space to give him a perennial All-Star,” former er last season. He’s an All-Star. that he was faking a hamstring lain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Forcing their way into a trade the $140 million (or $190 mil- NBA forward told He helped them end a 14-year injury. They mended fences and wanted trades and got them. that suits the player, that’s an en- lion) max contract he’s seeking. TMZ Sports, adding that he play-off drought. Losing him, won titles. Butler got his trade ball roll- tirely different story. Miami would interest him thinks is “a real no matter what they get back, Most of the time, though, ing. Butler has told the Minnesota as well, since Butler has raved winner.” wouldn’t seem to help the when a player wants out, they Where it goes, at least this Timberwolves that he has no about the city in the past and The Timberwolves can basi- Wolves’ chances of returning get out. season, that’s up to Wolves’ intentions of re-signing with he’s still very tight with fellow cally make any of the following to the play-offs in a still-loaded demanded to coach and president Tom Thi- the club next summer, his way Marquette alum and former Chi- decisions: Western Conference. be traded by Orlando in 2012, bodeau — whose own future of saying “trade me now” or cago teammate . — Move Butler right away Sometimes, even irreconcil- and got his way. Shaquille in Minnesota might be hanging “lose me for nothing later.” The Toronto is believed to be on his and start camp without distrac- able differences work out. O’Neal wanted to leave the Lak- by a thread as well right now — Athletic first reported Butler’s radar. Playing alongside LeBron tion; won NBA champion- ers in 2004, got sent to the Heat, more than anyone else. decision. James with the Lakers is some- It’s a power move that players thing that hardly anyone in the can make. NBA would sneeze at. Thing is, it comes with risk — A person with knowledge of Knicks won’t rush Porzingis or future building plans because what happens next is the Timberwolves’ situation not up to Butler. said that Minnesota has been talking to multiple teams, gaug- BRIAN MAHONEY tractive and might fast track with this process.” discussions with Noah and his This was the lesson learned something,” Knicks’ president They will be patient with Por- representation to determine from the situa- ing the Butler market. The per- AP Basketball Writer son spoke to The Associated Steve Mills said Thursday. zingis, their All-Star forward how he’ll leave the club. tion, from the situ- “I’ve seen that happen and who is still recovering from a “The hope is that we can ation, from the sit- Press Thursday on condition of anonymity because talks are on- NEW YORK (AP) — Kri- go wrong too many times and torn ACL in February. He is come to a resolution that is both uation. Leonard supposedly was staps Porzingis is back with that’s not what we’re going to back in New York and work- advantageous to both Joakim hoping for a trade from San An- going. The Timberwolves aren’t exactly in a position of strength, his teammates, though the New do.” ing out with his teammates, but and to the Knicks, and so that’s tonio to the Clip- York Knicks don’t know when It’s happened in New York, faces more testing and rehab where it sits right now,” general pers. Irving wanted to be sent by since now everyone knows that Butler wants out and training he’ll be back on the court. where the Knicks traded young before the Knicks know when manager Scott Perry said. Cleveland to either San Antonio won’t be back, players and future assets in he can play. Porzingis is eligible for an ex- and Miami. George was widely camps start in a few days. But that doesn’t mean Minnesota though the terms of his depar- 2011 to acquire Carmelo An- “As he meets certain mile- tension this fall, but the Knicks assumed to leave Indiana for the ture still are being negotiated. thony, rather than sign him stones, we’ll continue his rehab seem prepared to wait until . doesn’t control how this will play out. So while there are questions, the following summer as a process,” Mills said, “all to- next summer. That would allow Leonard is in Toronto, at least the Knicks also feel they have free agent with the cap space ward the direction of when he them to have more salary-cap for one season. When Leonard asked for his trade, the Spurs had the luxury certainty with the way they are they had. This time, they say feels 100 percent comfortable space in July if they try to sign Irving got sent to Boston, and building their team. they will wait for the summer and we feel 100 percent com- a player they won’t mortgage is a free agent next summer. of time and wound up getting a very good deal from Toronto. They insist their future first- of 2019, when Kyrie Irving, fortable that we’re not taking any of their future for now. George landed in Oklahoma round draft picks will be used Jimmy Butler, any risks with him, then he’ll “We feel comfortable with our City, and probably will be there The Cavs and the Pacers also had plenty of time to work out to select players for their own and Kawhi Leonard could be be ready to come back.” organization and where we’re for years. team, not to be dangled in among the free agents — even Not so for Noah, despite the going and what we’re develop- Not a whole lot of people saw something to their likings when moving Irving and George. trades that could land them an if one of them suddenly became two years left on the $72 mil- ing here,” Mills said, “and we those exact moves coming. But established player. available by trade now. lion deal he signed in 2015. think that when it’s time for us the teams did what was best Minnesota doesn’t have that same cushion. That’ll eventu- “We’re committed to follow- “We don’t want to jump at He has been away from the to go after free agents, we’ll be for them. In all three cases, the ing a plan and not just shifting the shiny things,” coach David team since clashing with for- in a place to attract free agents Spurs, the Cavs and the Pac- ally lead to Butler being asked why he waited until the final and pivoting because we see Fizdale said. “We want to make mer coach Jeff Hornacek last and we shouldn’t use our draft ers got the best deal they could something that we think is at- solid decisions and be patient season. The Knicks remain in picks like that.” make. days of the off-season to inform