result in a milestone for the sport in Bermuda.

For the first time, two Island players are expected to take part in one of the four major sports festivals, following Bermuda's victory over the Cayman Islands in the annual Rosebowl Tournament on the weekend.

And yesterday, Bermuda Olympic Association general secretary John Hoskins, whose organisation has the final say on who represents the Island, confirmed that both Nick Kyme and Tommy Sherratt were likely to make the trip to Malaysia.

Squash, which is not contested in the CAC Games or Olympic Games and was played at the Pan-Am Games for the first time three years ago, will make its debut as a medal sport at the Commonwealth Games this September.

Hoskins said the BOA had already had preliminary discussions with the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association, which had deemed the Rosebowl as a major qualifier for Commonwealth Games consideration.

The BSRA must now make a formal presentation to the BOA, whose technical committee will make its recommendation before being put to the full board for final determination this summer.

BSRA officials could not be reached yesterday.

But Denise Kyme, who heads the junior programme, said the names of her son and Sherratt had already been put forward by the governing body.

Unlike sports such as swimming or athletics, there are no set standards as to who represents the Island in squash, making for a "very difficult'' decision, Hoskins said. Denise Kyme agreed, saying "If I was in (the BOA's) shoes, I'm sure I'd find it to be a tough decision, too.'' Hoskins said that "each sport is looked at differently'' but a major determining factor is how Bermuda fared against international opponents.

In this case, Kyme, 17, and Sherratt, 21, are already the Island's top two players, leading the win over Caymans in the Northern Caribbean Championships at the Devonshire courts by taking five of their six matches. Both are also former Caribbean junior champions.

"If other nations send their players, and our players are just as good, then my guess is they should go,'' said Hoskins. "It looks good.'' Sherratt currently plays in a league in England, where he attends university.

He also entered this year's British Open and lost in the first round of the professional tournament. Kyme, who attends Taft, a US prep school in Connecticut, will also lead a Bermuda team at the at the World Junior Championships this summer.

Working in their favour is the fact squash players seldom get the opportunity to take part in international competitions such as the Commonwealth Games.

"In fact, this is the first time (the BOA) has ever had to assess squash players,'' said Hoskins. Added Kyme, "This is really a stepping stone. The World Squash Federation hopes hope it will ultimately lead to the Olympics.'' MALAYSIA BOUND? -- Tommy Sherratt (left) and Nick Kyme are hoping to be selected to travel to this year's Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur following success at last weekend's Rosebowl squash tournament.