Sports Minister Dennis Lister dropped a bombshell yesterday when he announced to a stunned Parliament that football and cricket were to become Bermuda's national sports.

MPs from both sides of the House no doubt scratched their heads when the honourable member made the pronouncement -- after all what did they and the public at large think were the country's flagship activities? Sure, hockey and rugby hold great interest on the Island and motorsports, athletics, golf and tennis all have their place in the sporting calendar, but football and cricket have dominated since time immemorial.

The Island's premier cricket tournament, Cup Match, is 100 not out this year and the game itself has been played for at least 140 years.

As far as football is concerned, records show there were matches being played around the Island during the 1920s and there had probably been many more prior to this.

Lister said he had chosen to make the announcement because of the millennium significance and also because May had been declared Heritage Month.

"I need not remind you, Mr Speaker,'' he said, "of the role these sports have played in the social and cultural life of a large majority of the population.

"Indeed, they are woven into the very fabric of our heritage through the community workman's clubs.

"Mr Speaker, it is significant that the theme of this year's Heritage Day parade is `Community' because I remember the role these clubs played in the lives of Bermudians was celebrated and recorded in the book, "Black Clubs of Bermuda', but in spite of this, until now, the role of the sports themselves was not officially noted.'' Lister further enlightened the throng by revealing that football was the Island's most popular sport in winter, while cricket dominated in summer.

"And while we recognise the current state of affairs,'' Lister went on, "Government believes this step will help both sports to build on their reputations as important vehicles for the positive development of young people into well-rounded citizens and sportsmen, of whom we can be justifiably proud.'' The steps he had taken, Lister said, would help the sports "bridge the gaps in our community through the avenues they offer for everyone to participate and socialise together, in true community sporting spirit.'' The announcement would also "ensure that the efforts of our forefathers ...

were not in vain''.

"Mr Speaker, my Ministry will spend the next few months working with the appropriate governing bodies of these sports to formulate policies and practices to improve and enhance sports at all levels,'' Lister said. "We intend to see that a high priority is given to cricket and football ... at grass roots level, at the school level, at the club level and at the national level.'' What do you think? Was the Minister just stating the obvious when he made his speech or do you disagree with the priority given to cricket and football? Write to The Royal Gazette Sports Desk, Par La Ville Road, Hamilton with your opinions or e-mail Matt Westcott at sports y gazette.newsmedia.bm.

Dennis Lister: Promised that Government would give high priority to both soccer and cricket.