SO football got the next big paycheck from the Bermuda Government! So where do I stand on this, some may wonder. Well, I don't think that the Bermuda Government really had much of a choice. All one has to do is open one's eyes and look around this island to see the frightening state of many of our young people.

More and more of our young people, boys and girls, are bored, with few if any interests, lacking people skills and a decent level of education. They constantly complain that there is nothing to do, nothing for them.

While I disagree with this, my opinion, and that of others who also disagree, is somewhat irrelevant, because it is not what we think that really matters most. It is what the young people think (and how they see things) that is far more important. I see this as a step to do something for young Bermudians and it should be grasped with both hands by all of Bermuda.

More on this after we check out the Top 20.

Still holding at number one is Irreplaceable by the Queen of Hip Hop and R&B, Beyonce. Now some new joints.

Improving to number two is Ciara with her essential selection Promise, which is quickly climbing the international music charts.

Tumbling to number three i> I Wanna Love You by Akon featuring Snoop Doggy Dog. Also falling to the number four slot is Janet (Jackson) with her huge hit So Excited.

Changing gears to dancehall, Bermudian stud artist Collie Buddz's huge hiI>Come Around drops to number five. I haven't had a chance to share my Collie Budz marketing idea with the Bermuda Department of Tourism yet, but hopefully they read the papers.

Making a big jump to number six is Smack That by Akon featuring Eminem, a catchy track with a cool melody.

Shifting gears to house music, falling to number seven Love's The Only Drug by Ultra Nate. Slipping to number eight is Come To Me by Diddy and Nicole Scherzinger. And sliding to number nineMy Love by the man I like to call JT (Justin Timberlake).

Now, the song of the year for 2007 (I know it's only February but I just cannot imagine anything else will come along with the power of this track). Improving to number 10 is American Idol diva turned Golden Globe winner/vocalist extraordinaire, Jennifer Hudson, with her monster , And I Am Telling You. I still haven't yet seen the Dreamgirls movie, but it has received excellent reviews and Hudson and co-star Eddie Murphy are both Oscar nominees for their performances. I now also know that there are at least two banging house mixof And I Am Telling You. This is just an amazing song and we will be hearing it for many weeks to come.

Improving to number 11 is We Ride by Bajan Bombshell Rihanna. Down to number is Borderline by Jody Watley. Falling to number 13 is Lost Without You by Robin Thicke, which still gets lots of play on local radio.

On a somewhat dancehall tip, down to numbe4 is Ring the Alarm by Beyonce featuring Bermuda's own Collie Buddz. Falling to number 15 is Jump by Madonna, a very poppy, catchy track. I recently saw tmovie The Devil Wears Prada and this song was featured on the soundtrackt. Madonna's songs have a certain inspiring beat that just work in any setting, be it a club or even in a film. Great track!

Slipping to number 16 is Show Me What You Got by Jay Z.

Now this week's essential new joint. In at numbe7 it's Runaway Love by Ludacris featuring Mary J. Blige, two very strong artists who have produced a monster track.

Falling to number 18 is Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake. Slipping to nur 19 is Change Me by Reuben Studdard.

And rounding things out at number 20 is Maneater by Nelly Furtado. On a related yet somewhat unrelated note, it's great to see Nora Jones back with a chart-topping hit. No, it isn't dance music but this is one soulful young lady with a voice and a sound many years her senior. Her lat hit is Not TooLate. She is a throwback to a time when there were more real musicians and less of those who only sound good in the studio. One of my bredrens, let's call him Shannon J, is also a fan of Ms. Jones.

Now back to this week's word - the $15 million for soccer and the BFA.

The first thing I wish to say here is that Bermudians must look at the big picture and set realistic objectives which I too may have done with our National Cricket Team. Once the Government committed to spending $11 million on cricket, we expected them to change overnight into serious competitors on the international stage. This may not be realistic.

The football team has enjoyed success in the past but like the cricket team has also suffered a number of disappointing performances.

I think we in Bermuda forget that other teams are also developing their standard of play and trying to get better results. However, we should at all times be trying our best. I hope that this will happen in the future with both cricket and football.

However, the bigger result and the larger return on the investment of $26 million by the people of Bermuda will be seen if we can convert more young people into high achievers, positive contributors to this country, leaders of tomorrow and, decent role models as a result of this expenditure.

Sure, it would be great to qualify for and perform well in the next World Cup, 2010, but I would be even more delighted if we can keep more young men and women off the streets; if more of them can get soccer or academic (YES) scholarships as a result of playing international soccer; and if we can get more of our young people to be involved in positive things which lead to success in life; helping us to build a better, safer, fair, functioning society. I hope that this message is being communicated to one and all. I'm not sure if this is the Government's intent or reason for spending the money, but I'd like to think it is and would like to encourage them to tell this story to the country.

Of course there has to be some accountability and proper auditing of money. This is, after all, your money and my money, earned on the backs of taxpayers' labour. Therefore, may the BFA be responsible with it. I agree with and like the idea of hiring a technical director.

The BFA has got this wrong in the past. There are some who agreed with the philosophy of Burkhard Zeisse back in the day and others who thought he had to go. However, he brought an international flavour to the process and whilst there were some who disagreed with him, I sometimes wonder how much further along we would be if he had remained.

We need a technical director who will go into the schools and implement a soccer programme across the island, for boys and girls, for all PE teachers to follow, for all Club Coaches to buy into and use, so that we can improve the standard of football on the island, from the kids right up to the Senior National Team.

Current BFA President Larry Mussenden is a switched on individual. I'm a little sorry that he was ousted from his post as Attorney General, but that is another conversation.

Mr. Mussenden is the right man for the BFA today and I hope that the members continue to show faith in him. Surely the $15 millionr deal should buy him another term in office. However, he is really trying to develop football and one has to remember that he is a volunteer, doing this in his spare time.

This guy is a highly qualified lawyer and businessman, who could be doing something else with the time he devotes to football. The BFA (and the BCB) need people like Larry Mussenden leading them forward.

In closing, let's hope that the Government's $26 million investment in Bermuda's national summer and winter sports produces better people, decreases crime and antisocial behaviour, gives Bermudians hope, increases the level of national pride, produces future leaders and makes Bermuda a better place for all.

Peace —