RANDY HORTON'S ‘Vision for the Future', as outlined to sports governing bodies at last weekend's annual Government Sports Conference, might be admirable in its intentions.

And with the Sports Minister's background - he was a professional footballer and Cup Match cricket captain - there's no reason to question either his credentials or enthusiasm as he seeks to reshape the way in which sport is both played and administered on this Island.

Yet over the past 30 years so many similar speeches, reviews, policy papers and discussion documents have come and gone that Horton shouldn't be at all surprised if his latest delivery is greeted with a degree of scepticism.

Talk is cheap and with previous efforts to improve Bermuda's overall sports programme, invariably we've heard much talk but witnessed little action - the National Sports Centre being a case in point.

Finally, the first phase of the Centre is nearing completion, but it's taken us 25 years to get there!

Meanwhile, our club facilities are as dire as ever, many youth programmes lack direction and organisation, and while at international level several individual competitors have excelled, it's been some time since any team sport succeeded overseas - another sign that generally there's a need for improved administration and a higher standard of coaching.

Add to that the laid-back, couldn't-care-less attitude of some of our leading sportsmen, such as those members of the national cricket team who don't feel a need to train, and it's easy to see why the best laid plans can go awry.

However, should all of the Sports Minister's latest proposals see the light of day, there's no reason why the respective governing bodies can't benefit, providing they show a willingness to help themselves.

Of particular note is Horton's plan to set up what he has entitled a National Sports Governing Body Consulting and Advisory Service run by a full-time Sports Development Officer whose job will be to work with the governing bodies.

His or her role will be to help develop programmes, ensure that goals and objectives are met and generally assess what is needed to help each individual sport succeed.

More importantly that same person will monitor the use of Government grants, an initiative that should have been implemented years ago. For too long tax-payers' money has been squandered by certain governing bodies, some more recklessly than others, without fear of consequence.

Hopefully, with a watchdog to keep an eye on how those grants are used, the national bodies will be held more accountable.

The Minister's intention to set up a Coaching Certificate Programme to ensure that all coaches, regardless of their sport, are held to a minimum standard is another worthwhile venture as is the Sports Management Certificate Programme, a course already in progress, aimed at improving the skills of those in administrative positions.

A Hall of Fame, something in which Horton may have a vested interest, is long overdue and will be welcomed by most in the community.

And there's also merit to the plan for a National Recognition Committee whose brief will be to develop standards as regards code of conduct, national colours and dress.

But as Horton concluded: “We can do no less than to provide the pathways to success and ensure that opportunities are available to all and provide the infrastructure to ensure that success is within the grasp of all those who aspire to achieve.”

Therein lies the challenge.

The same principles adhered to by any successful individual athlete - application, dedication, commitment and responsibility - need to be accepted by those who run our sports.

Otherwise Horton's ‘Vision for the Future' might well find its place alongside those of his predecessors - on a backroom shelf gathering dust.

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RANDY HORTON'S opposite number, Cole Simons, might simply have a short memory.

Or perhaps as a political neophyte and someone whose involvement in sport, outside equestrianism, was barely noticed until his appointment as Shadow Minister, he's just eager to impress.

Whatever, his criticism of Government this week for failing to complete the National Sports Centre with public funds wreaked of hypocrisy.

For some 20 years while in power, Simons' UBP dithered and deliberated, breaking one promise after another as attempts to build the complex were repeatedly stalled.

Even during the economic boom days of the 1980s when money was flowing into Government coffers faster than they could spend it, barely a thought was given to the Prospect project.

If ever the PLP inherited a burden it was that of the Sports Centre, and it would be fair to say we've seen more progress at the site during the past few years than we saw for over two decades under the UBP.