By John Burchall A red carpet welcome was extended yesterday to Bermuda's cricket enthusiasts from one of the most colourful men to ever play the game.

At a morning Press conference at the Marriott Castle Harbour hotel, Sir Gary Sobers, who retired from Test cricket in 1974 after representing the West Indies in 86 Test matches, told the assembled Press pool about the variety of sporting events hosted in Barbados.

Among the exhaustive list were netball, road running, mountain biking, an international rugby festival, horse racing, golf and hockey.

Less traditional sports competitions like draughts and dominoes were also mentioned during the cricketer turned golf devotee's 40-minute presentation.

Unsurprisingly, Sir Gary, who is also a representative of the Barbados Board of Tourism, highlighted the upcoming Test match between the West Indies and Australia.

The match, set to take place between March 31 and April 5 is a focal point in the island's sporting calendar.

"The Test match against Australia is certainly one of the big highlights in Barbados,'' he said. "Australia is probably the second strongest side in the world.

"We are looking forward to seeing a lot of Bermudians there.'' However, Sir Gary said his presentation was not aimed at those who already intend to make the pilgrimage to Kensington Oval. Instead he said he was aiming to reach those Bermudians who have not yet made up their minds, or may have forgotten the recent Test match featuring England in Barbados last year.

Meantime, the Australians will play a one-day warm up game against a Barbados select one day after they arrive on March 4.

And this may be attractive to those who are unable to watch the Test match later on.

While the Australians are in Barbados, there will also be a `golden oldies' competition from March 23-April 6. Bermuda was invited to send a team.

Cricket aside, Sir Gary said the Barbados Board of Tourism was trying to attract international competitors to the island for road running, rugby and golf.

Although the popularity of rugby on the island had diminished over the years, Sir Gary said, teams from England often visited and played in tournaments.

A new golf course has been constructed recently in Barbados he said, although only nine holes are currently operational. But the course is expected to be ready soon.

He also encouraged Bermudian marathon and 10K runners to come back to Barbados to compete in organised racing as they have done in the earlier years of the competition. Local horse racing lovers were invited to the 13th annual Cockspur Gold Cup at the Garrison Savannah on March 4.