Clyde Best coaching saga -- arguing that it is not the Ministry's role to comment on all sporting disputes.

In a letter to The Royal Gazette (see Page 15), he hit back at Sports Editor Adrian Robson's Friday Forum column which questioned the lack of response of politicians on the BFA's decision not to renew technical director Best's contract when it expires in March -- in the middle of Bermuda's important World Cup and Olympic qualifying campaigns.

Best is since believed to have been given a reprieve which would take him through the World Cup campaign and a formal announcement is expected from the BFA soon.

The Forum article, published on January 21, said it had been interesting to note throughout the contract saga "the total silence of the politicians who one might have thought would have offered at least moral support for a man whose silky soccer skills during his West Ham heydey did more to put this country on the map than any number of ambassadorial trips overseas.'' But Mr Lister said that The Gazette article implied that "whenever there is a dispute among sporting organisations, those in authority should beat a track to the media to express an opinion.'' He said the history of the relationship of the Ministry with national sports bodies was one of "respect and confidentiality'' which was "far more productive than publicly criticising decisions that go against the opinions of the media and the others.'' He said he backed the right of the media to express opinions on sport issues but that did not require that he "publicly respond to every sport issue that is controversial.'' "Our role,'' he added, "is a delicate one -- to create awareness, provide incentive, to offer guidance, but never to dictate.'' He said the Ministry was frequently asked to settle sports disputes -- "a role we would, however, prefer not to have. Hence, it would be inappropriate for us to publicly comment on any sports issue which may end up on our doorstep to mediate or settle.''