The annual National Sportsmanship Day just got better.

During a press conference at the National Sports Centre yesterday, Sports Minister Dale Butler took ?great delight? in announcing the general theme for this year?s event, now in its third year of existence ? unifying the sports community through the principles of sportsmanship.

To commemorate this year?s event, to be held on November 19 at the Sports Centre, the general public will be treated to a variety of gymnastics, football, cricket, rugby, hockey, netball, softball, fencing and track and field activities between the hours of 12 noon and 5 p.m.

Entertainment will also be provided by the Pembroke Hamilton Club Majorette and Drum Troop.

Addressing an audience at yesterday?s press conference, Butler explained: ?The idea of National Sportsmanship Day was born out of discussions at the 18th Annual Sports Conference in 2003 when many sports administrators agreed that they faced many challenges with respect to negative, anti-social behaviour involving: the infestation of drugs, breakdown in the codes of behaviour, disrespect for officials, unethical behaviour in our boardrooms, fan unruliness, unwanted sledging in games and attacks on players.?

Only last week a trio of local young men were convicted in Supreme Court for the attempted murder of another man during the ill-fated 2004 Friendship Trophy final held at Wellington Oval.

All three defendants, now facing lengthy prison terms, were found guilty of possessing offensive weapons and publicly arming themselves with the intent to wreak terror on others present at the match.

Butler continued: ?It was then agreed that the best defence is a good offence and my Ministry decided to support and promote an annual National Sportsmanship Day through our schools and throughout the community that focused on and fostered the development of those behaviours which emulate trustworthiness, fairness, responsibility, respect and caring on and off our sports fields and arenas.?

The annual celebration is supported by the Bank of Bermuda, Bank of NT Butterfield and the Ministry of Education. Local Hall of Fame inductees will also be on hand to present medals to current athletes.

And Butler has urged the public to come out and join the ?festival of sports?.

?We need you. Our young people need you. Our community needs needs you all,? he pleaded.

?All hands and hearts need to be onboard to help keep up the momentum so that we as a community can commit to upholding the principles of fair play, honesty, self-discipline and respect for sports administrators, officials, players and fans.?

Butler also thanked Government, Bermuda School Sports Federation, Sports Management Action Committee and the National Drugs Commission for their contributions.