controversy surrounding the selection of the Bermuda's karate team to take part in next month's Pan American Games, saying that the current team "sucks'' and that the selection process was flawed.

Ingham, who heads the Bermuda Karate Institute (BKI), was in total agreement with a letter sent to the Bermuda Olympic Association, signed by student and current 66-kilogram world champion Gladwin (Roots) Phillips, in which the latter blasted criteria for selection used by the Bermuda Martial Arts Society (BMAS) and threatened to pull out of the five man squad, which he labelled "invalid''.

"Only one guy on that team other than `Roots' is capable and that's Bobby Smith, the rest of them suck,'' said Ingham, regarded as local karate's grand patriarch and credited with being the first to introduce the sport to the island.

"Those other guys went to a tournament in Malaysia (back in December) and got knocked out in the first round, that's a waste of people's money.

"I also see it said that they are not going with the aim of winning a medal.

What are they going for then...to socialise? "That's what they've been doing all this time, going places on people's money and socialising. If we can't send a team with the aim of at least reaching the quarter-finals then it doesn't make sense going.'' Just as was stated in the aforementioned letter, Ingham reaffirmed that he remained a member of the BMAS technical committee and should have been consulted over team selection.

He added that he was not yet interested in meeting with other members of the BMAS in order that they can sort out the process and "do it the right way''.

Ingham was asked whether he thought it possible to have detailed discussion between members of the BMAS and the BKI, which have long been at loggerheads over issues both historical and philosophical.

"It's possible,'' retorted Ingham, who carries a long list of credentials as a result of his success at numerous tournaments, both local and overseas. "If not they (leaders of BMAS) should get off the pot and let someone else run things.

"There are people out there qualified and capable of dealing with it.

"Nothing personal against Mr. Williams, but no, he shouldn't be president.

He's just messing things up.

"I'm supposed to be the problem, but they're just jealous, because my record speaks for itself and none of them can test that.

"I have proven myself. I'm not Japanese or Chinese, I'm just a little Bermudian, but I've done it all. What it boils down to is that I'm PLP and they're UBP, it's all petty politics.'' Regarding the issue of Phillips' status on the team, Ingham intimated that Phillips would not be travelling unless the situation is sorted out. He also took exception to not being contacted as to Phillips' inclusion on the team in the first place, saying that it showed total "disrespect'' to him as Phillips' manager and teacher.

"I know `Roots' will not go under the current circumstances,'' said Ingham.

"He wouldn't be able to perform. In order to do well he has to have a clear mind, be psychologically strong and focussed.'' Meanwhile, president of the Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) Austin Woods stated that his association was satisfied with the criteria used for selection and was not interested in getting involved with the current dispute.

"If there is an internal problem then that is something for them to discuss and not a matter for the BOA,'' said Woods.

However, Woods noted that if Phillips declined to go to Argentina for the Games it would be up to the BMAS to inform the BOA.

The official team contains Phillips and Smith, along with Eugene Ford, Nigel Williams and Roger Trimm.

Attempts to contact Williams were unsuccessful.

BOBBY SMITH -- Meets Skipper's approval