Bermuda?s male or female athlete for the year 2004 could turn out for the first time to be a professional.

It was learned yesterday that a special Ministry of Sports sub-committee, comprised of media, former local athletes and sports administrators, strongly recommended that the Island?s professional athletes also be considered for this year?s top awards at tonight?s ceremony, scheduled to take place at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel.

That decision means the likes of footballers John Barry Nusum, Shaun Goater and David Bascome, squash player Nick Kyme and golfer Michael Sims could walk away with the night?s top prize in the male category ? although Star Olympic skipper Peter Bromby again finds himself among the favourites to win the prestigious award.

?Professionals are now included in our deliberations for male and female athlete of the year,? confirmed Director of Youth and Sports Brenton Roberts yesterday.

Only three years ago then Manchester City striker Goater created a stir when as a pro he wasn?t included in the deliberation process and, as such, was denied the opportunity to vie for recognition ? despite enjoying perhaps his best season as an English pro.

?A committee was formed two years ago to examine and come up with recommendations which the committee did and embraced it into the programme,? Roberts added.

While Bromby remains among the favourites in the male category following successes at Kiel, Germany, and the Spa Regatta in Holland, another local skipper and last year?s female athlete of the year recipient, Paula Lewin, is also again in the running for the top prize.

However, she could face a tough challenge from Bermuda?s Olympic 100 metres backstroke swimmer Kiera Aitken.

Aitken set a new national 100m backstroke record and won her heat at last summer?s Olympic Games in Athens while also establishing a new Caribbean record at the Caribbean Swimming Championships in Jamaica.

Tonight?s 24th edition of the annual awards ceremony will be televised on ZBM.