By BRENT STUBBS

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IT IS not how you start, nor how you get there. Most importantly, it’s how you finish.

• The Finish Line, a weekly column, seeks to comment on the state of affairs in local sports, highlighting the highs and the lows, the thrills and the spills and the successes and failures.

THE WEEK

THAT WAS

In his contribution to the Budget Debate in the House of Assembly, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Michael Pintard made some announcements that were like music to the ear of the listener.

Pintard revealed that a more comprehensive approach would be taken to address the needs of each segment of the sporting community, ranging from elite athletes to the underserved youth of the inner city.

Prior to making the announcement, Pintard met with just about all of the local sporting associations and federations with a view of sharing his expectations in his role as the new minister.

In his first national address as a member of the new Free National Movement government, Pintard agreed with the sentiments of many that there are a number of iconic figures who have dedicated their lives to sports in the country, some of whom have been recognised and some overlooked.

He also indicated that the subvention given to athletes to help in their preparation for international competition should be resolved succinctly to give athletes a greater opportunity to focus on being ambassadors of the country.

Facilities, which have been a sight for sore eyes not only in the capital, but also throughout the Family Islands, will be addressed with the view of improving them to ensure that our athletes are given a chance to further develop their skills.

There’s no doubt that sports has held its own on the local and international scene, but in order for us to continue to see the success that we have achieved, we need those things mentioned by Pintard to take priority.

As Pintard said, their role goes beyond creating a feeder system where the Bahamas produces junior and senior elite athletes. They have to be interested in the development of all people. After all the FNM, during its campaign for governance, stated: “It’s the People’s Time.

CONGRATS JONES

Commendation must be given to Jonquel Jones, our second Bahamian female player to participate in the Women’s National Basketball Association.

The Grand Bahamian native, in her second year with the Connecticut Sun, earned Player of the Week honours for the Eastern Conference for the first time in her two WNBA seasons. In leading the Sun to a 2-0 week, Jones paced the Eastern Conference in rebounding (10.0 rebounds per game) and blocks (2.5 blocks per game) and shared the lead in steals (2.0 steals per game).

Jones also ranked sixth in scoring (17.5 points per game) and third in field goal percentage (.737, 14-of-19) in the league. But she’s also the Sun’s leader in scoring and rebounding so far.

The 6-6 forward/centre opened her week with 19 points, a game-high 12 rebounds and three assists in a 96-76 home win over the New York Liberty on June 14.

Three days later, the former George Washington University Colonial star helped Connecticut hand the WNBA-leading Minnesota Lynx their first loss of the season.

In the Sun’s 98-93 road victory, Jones finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and four steals as Connecticut improved to 5-5 for the season with its fifth win in six games.

Jones is off to a remarkable season and as she continues to put up the numbers, she has been considered for WNBA All-Star Selection for the 2017 game.

• Here’s how we can all show our appreciation to Jones by going online and casting our votes for her:

• On WNBA.com player index and player pages, the user picks players by clicking or tapping the “Vote” button.

• To deselect a pick, user can click or tap the “Added” button.

• Once selections are complete, user must provide complete the reCaptcha, and click “SUBMIT VOTES” to submit his/her votes.

• Users can submit a minimum of (1) player or up to ten (10) players, per device, per 24 hours.

• Voting is allowed for all WNBA players on roster.

• Voting window is from June 13, 2017 (2:00:00 PM ET) – July 6, 2017 (09:00PM ET).

She most definitely deserves our support.

THE WEEK

AHEAD

Next week, the Local Organising Committee is expected to officially name the athletes who will represent Team Bahamas at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games, to be hosted here in New Providence July 19-23.

This is going to be the biggest sporting event that the country has ever hosted and so it’s going to be important for the public to come out and rally behind the athletes.

Nine different sports will be contested in athletics (track and field), aquatics (swimming), beach soccer, boxing, cycling (road), judo, rugby sevens, tennis and (subject to final confirmation) beach volleyball.

It will be the first time judo, beach soccer and beach volleyball will be staged in the games that got started in 2000 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Tickets are expected to go on sale as of Monday and are priced at $100 for “Season Passes” for the seven days of competition with senior citizens discounted at $50. All day passes are priced at $35.

Corporate “Season Passes” are also available.

The box office will be open at Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, but the LOC intends to also have other distributions to be announced.

The games are coming and Team Bahamas will have about 190-plus athletes competing in all nine sporting disciplines against athletes from at least 69 countries from within the Commonwealth.

It’s an event that you certainly don’t want to miss.