Dear Sir.

Our national sports at the lowest level ever! Why?

It used to be because there was no funding, cannot say that anymore. I can sum it up in one word, hunger. Our national players are not hungry to be successful at the international level. We need to develop players who are dedicated, committed, determined, take pride in their performances and have a fighting attitude.

I refuse to believe that players from other countries are more skilful than our players. We have always had skilful, talented palyers.

The difference is in the mental approach.

When competing internationally, we seem to forget the basics as evidenced by our performance against Guyana. In that last game, can we really blame those players. We all know that was not our best cricket team but I want to congratulate those players for at least putting in the effort, commitment, dedication, standing tall and accepting the challenge when others did not.

Why are the same senior players getting banned for disciplinary reasons? Grow up! Set an example!

Even if you disagree with a decision, accept it and move on. No amount of shouting is going to make the official change his mind. If it is the same official making bad decisions, take the time to write an official complaint to the appropriate association.

Why are other senior players refusing to play for the country?

Why are some still getting banned for failing drug tests? They are not dedicated or committed. They don't care and are not hungry to play for their country. They probably have a list of excuses as to why. It is not Reggie Pearman's fault! Our economic success has created sportsmen who can make a better living, economically, by not playing sports. In other countries they see sports as the way to better their lives and that of their families.

We need to instil in younger players the importance of taking pride in their performances. At the very least you are representing yourself. Do you want to go and compete and look like fools or dummies?

Always do your best in all games, including training! I did not see the football game against Cayman Islands, but I read that Bermuda missed a few great opportunities to score before Cayman got a late equaliser. Do you mean to tell me that none of the players on the field had a few choice words for those who missed these chances?

Was it just a "too bad man, unlucky". Any successful sports team has a few players who are respected by all players, it may not even be the captain, but when they speak you had better pay attention. These are the players who will not let players perform badly without holding them accountable for their role in the team.

This is where the pride and fighting attitude come in. Demand the best from your team-mates. Don't let them make mistakes, and not let them know how serious it is.

Yes, they know when they make mistakes, but if no-one "tells them off", the next time they will make the same mistake because they have not got angry at someone for telling them off. This may be difficult today because many young men cannot accept a telling off, even when it is warranted. They think they are the best and nobody can talk to them like that. Get off your high horse, you are not a top player internationally.

I'll refer to the PHC team of the '80s. That team was very successful not just because of the excellent coach, Leroy (Nibs) Lewis, who coached great team tactics and enforced discipline and team-work, but because there were players on the field who absolutely hated to lose and held each player accountable. They were also very fit.

Each player had to do what they were responsible to do, score goals, stop goals, make good passes etc. Players like Sammy Swan, Kevin Dill, Mike Dill, and Derek (Nails) Douglas were very vocal. If chances to score were not being put away, Mike or Nails would be telling the strikers off. If the opposition scored, Sammy or Kevin told off the player or players at fault.

Of course, the other players held each other accountable and made it very clear what mistakes were made that should not be repeated. I just remember these four as having the loudest voices. I can even recall team-mates arguing and almost fighting each other after a game if they lost. Although, they probably were mad because they knew Nibs would give them a hard training session with Ellie Wilson on the following Tuesday night!

It was their pride and fighting spirit which played a large part in their success. Of course, they were skilled and talented also, but so were the other teams, North Village, Boulevard, Somerset and Dandy Town. The other team-mates heard these exchanges and would be sure to do their job, not just to keep their spot in the team but also so they did not have to hear so and so's mouth.

Of course, after a day or two, all players were laughing and joking with each other because of the mutual respect for each other. Nibs could never coach this attitude even if he tried. So don't blame Keith Tucker, Kenny Thompson or Clyde Best for our recent performances. It is not the 4-5-1 formation, I guess we have had success in the past 10 years with other formations.

The players themselves need to learn not to accept mediocrity from themselves or from each other. They need to be dedicated, determined and take pride in their performances, pride in themselves, their schoolwork, their jobs and so on, but this really starts in the home when these boys are young and that is a whole other matter.

Finally, us Bermudians are quick to tell a young person they are a 'skiller' at a young age. They then internalise this and really believe they are very good and don't have to train hard and refuse to sit on the bench, until they come up against international competitors and realise how dumb'they really are.

We need to stop dong this. They should always be working to improve themselves, nobody is perfect. I remember it used to be an unwritten rule that no matter how good a player was at 16, he sat on the bench for the senior club team to observe the game and learn for a period of time before getting a starting position, a test of their dedication.

The only player I remember who cemented his spot on their clubs's senior team at 16 was Shaun Goater (I'm sure there were others throughout the years) and look what he went on to achieve, with his dedication, commitment, pride, 'never say die' attitude and hunger for success.

HUNGRY TO WIN