Dear Sir,

It is fitting to say this year's International Race Weekend was one of the best of all. And it answers the critics' questions about the current BTFA's organisational skills and appeal to attract sponsors and world class athletic talent. They also paid to bring in some of our own elite distance runners.

The BTFA has three new Executive Directors with promotional, athletics, technical and administrative experience. They have come on board to assist one of Bermuda's needed charities which has a good track record of helping Bermuda's youth become respectable adults. In spite of the known facts, some are hell bent on destroying the current administration for personal reasons.

If we are really serious about improving athletics in this country, solving our problems with negative news articles won't help. We must all be real team players who believe in the BTFA and can agree to disagree even when situations don't go our way.

Why have a negative personal agenda which includes keeping it fashionable to discredit the BTFA? We need to stop believing hearsay and research the facts, then bring any problems to the table.

Our main interest after an AGM should be looking forward and being positive, so let me clear the air by correcting the recent newsletter and article critics by exposing these facts I have discovered:

1 The past coach Clive Longe and all past BTFA presidents have been at one time accused of hindering the sport. Through the '70s and '80s track and field also had critics. If we put on paper the track record of today's president and coach we would learn that some of the successes and records of today's athletes and events better the past, especially if you consider there are now more events competing against T&F such as road races and triathlon events.

Plus there are more social ills. Also some of the past super stars we talk about were trained by the present coach.

2 The national coach has been assisted by two other local IAAF qualified coaches over the last two years.

3 The Association sent two of its affiliated club coaches to an IAAF course related to developing young athletes and recruiting potential track stars.

4 The BTFA still receives just as many athletic scholarship offers today but the fact is athletes are less prepared academically. Also many of today's stars are still high school age.

5 The Bermuda Union of Teachers lost their court case against the BTFA. They should have never been allowed to be affiliated to begin with as they are a trade union without a mandate to produce athletes. They are not a sports body to fit the BTFA's constitutional requirements. Their general secretary Mike Charles initiated the charge even though the BTFA is a local charity with volunteers.

As a result of his action the court ordered part of the BTFA's legal fees be paid by the BUT. His unjust action has cost both sides, and left the BTFA with a $19,000 plus debt in legal fees. The shame of it all is the BUT rejected offers from the BTFA affiliates and the Ministry to resolve the matter before it went to court.

6 The past Heritage track meet never attracted thousands of people or competitors as reported. There are track meets on the calendar that are just as well attended such as the National championships, Front Street Mile trials, Randy Benjamin Relays, CARIFTA trials, Pacers, Flyers and Flames track meets. It's the early season meets that can improve, especially in the longer distances.

7 The BTFA rejected the Bank of Butterfield's offer to sponsor only the Race Weekend Front Street Mile. Previously the bank supported the whole weekend but were encouraged to take on only the mile by former renegade BTFA council members. Because of the bank's decision, the BTFA opted to secure other sponsors for the whole weekend which includes the 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon, which attracts hundreds more participants and visitors.

The door is still open to the Bank of Butterfield to assist the weekend in the future as their support was appreciated.

8 The BTFA's annual registration fees had not been changed in20 years and are low compared to many other local governing body's. Registration is free for under 12 juniors, $10 for 12 to 16 juniors, $30 for 17 to 19 juniors and $50 for adults. These rates are dirt cheap if you consider athletics requires only footwear, shorts and a vest.

Government's grant to the BTFA does not cover the cost of international, local and overseas events attended by our athletes.

Without Race Weekend donations, entry and registration fees, and other fund raisers, the Association would not be able to function as a local charity and support local elite athletes.

9 The last BTFA audited financial report is due in February thanks to the generous donation of a local firm. Claims that they are behind three years are not accurate and do not tell the whole story.

10 The BTFA affiliates democratically voted to make constitutional changes which allowed affiliate members in good standing to attend their recent AGM. Accusations of a bouncer at this year's meeting are false.

Most people are positive towards the BTFA charity. I have not always agreed with the BTFA's decisions, especially ones related to defending themselves and setting the record straight. Neither will they make every athlete a superstar. But when you look around us, 99 percent of the athletes involved in the BTFA programme become good citizens.

Maybe it is time for the complainers to help and learn the true inner workings of a governing body.

SENIOR ATHLETE, COACH,

PARENT, VOLUNTEER AND DIRECTOR

Dear Sir,

Having recently become more involved with athletics events through my daughter, I have been amazed by the number of young people who turn out to compete. Understanding that as with any sport you just don't turn up on the day, it is consistent committed effort day in and day out, not forgetting the support 'team' that also involves both teachers, parents and organisers that make things happen.

With this in mind, I find it disheartening to see the lack of media support. The children and the 'Team' it takes for any event put in hours of work but it seems it's more newsworthy to fill our front pages with disgruntled cable watchers and the bad elements who find the attention they seek on the front page.

Sport is one of the major elements in creating school pride, healthy lifestyles and productive members of any community. Yet in your paper it is only briefly summarised with an odd snap shot on Page 21, unless of course you play football, then you get two photos!

Hats off to over 200 children who ran on Sunday, January 26, although only a handful appeared in one photo in the paper and all other sports competitors for their hours of dedication.

PROMOTE THE POSITIVE

Sports Editor's note: Space restrictions often dictate how much coverage is given to the multitude of junior and senior sports events which take place in Bermuda every week of the year. But, generally, we believe junior athletics is well served by this newspaper. Full results of last weekend's races were published the day after the event and two photos were published during the course of the week.

Dear Sir,

The recent KPMG Junior Series race is yet another example of the upside down thinking of the BTFA.

As the 'National Body' responsible for developing athletics in Bermuda shouldn't they be pouring money into supporting junior races, not demanding money from children who are taking part in a free event?

WITHHOLDING MY $50

Dear Sir,

It is with great anticipation that I await the start of the World Cup of cricket beginning on February 9 in South Africa.

While I will be supporting the West Indies, it is with a tinge of sadness that I will be watching because since the inaugural tournament in 1975 not one Bermudian has competed in it. If Bermudians were eligible to play for the West Indies then I am certain a few would have played in the World Cup by now but unfortunately when Alma (Champ) Hunt took eight for 46 runs, and had a total knock of 101 in the two 1933 West Indies trials outperforming all other cricketers he was told we were not considered a part of the West Indies.

Still it is a shame that Bermuda has failed to qualify for the competition on her own, when one considers that this will be Canada's second World Cup and that Namibia-who qualified?

Then I wonder whether if that sorry 'Roland Butcher affair' had never taken place, if the BCBC as far back as 1995 had secured the services of a full-time first class coach or if Bermuda were able to field her strongest eleven, would we have qualified? A more pertinent question today is what steps are being taken by the BCBC to ensure that we qualify for the next tournament in the West Indies in 2007?

On another note it is good to see the progress being made up at PHC. The field looks like it will be ready to play on in the not too distant future. Unfortunately, the Zebras are not enjoying one of their better seasons. When one thinks of the great footballers that have donned the black and white jersey, people like Johnny Nusum, Dale Russell, Kenny Burt and Kyle Lightbourne, it is a bit sad to see them struggling.

Perhaps it is time for legendary coach Leroy (Nibs) Lewis to return. Lewis still keeps abreast of developments in domestic football and is still as enthusiastic about the sport as when he last coached PHC. To the nay sayers I suggest if Bobby Robson can manage Newcastle United in the Premier League at the age of 70 then there is no reason why Nibs cannot return and put PHC back on track.

Finally, last Sunday I visited Bernard Park to watch North Village play Boulevard. The match though played in very wet and slippery conditions was hard fought and entertaining. It was very heartening to see the large amount of people in attendance. I overheard one Village diehard say that was the biggest crowd he had seen all season.

Amazingly, despite the rain, very few left the match. The BFA should take note that the sport is still in pretty good shape and its popularity on the increase.

While there will always be room for improvement, I encourage the BFA to continue to press on. I look forward to the upcoming tour by Canada. Keep up the good work.

RECMAN