The president of softball's world governing body has said he would accept random drug testing for players if asked.

But Don Porter stressed that he would not get involved in the Bermuda Amateur Softball Association's ongoing dispute with the Government -- declaring it a local issue.

BASA members were scheduled to meet last night to vote on whether to adopt or reject the Bermuda Council for Drug-free Sport's policy of random tests.

The organisation's executive committee has already spoken out on the issue saying it does not believe "recreational athletes'' should have to adhere to the edict.

And BASA president, Erica Smith, has declared her intention to stand down from her post and quit the sport if the vote is in favour of testing.

As a result of the association's stance, Government has banned it from using Bernard Park and consequently brought a halt to this season's play-offs.

Porter said while interested to see what the outcome was, the International Softball Federation, to which BASA is affiliated, would not intervene.

Speaking from the USA, he said: "While our federation strongly supports drug testing this really is a local matter.

"It involves a recreational league and so that's really up to the local authorities as well as the local association. Again we would encourage them to participate but that's going to be their decision as to whether they conform to whatever the requirements are.'' Porter went on: "If it was me individually I would probably say I have no problem doing that. But I can't speak for other individuals. I think it is their decision to make.

"We would hope that players competing in softball are not doing something that's illegal and bring our sport into disrepute whether it's at the local, national or international level.'' Porter said the ISF only became aware of the situation when contacted by Brenton Roberts, Director of Youth and Sport, last week.

"I had an initial conversation a few days ago with Tony Roberts from the Government. That was the initial discussion when he brought it to my attention,'' said Porter, who denied BASA claims that Government was trying to turn the president against them.

"I don't think he was trying to do that. I think he expressed his concern that they were not conforming to what they felt were requirements of those that play sport, whether it's softball or other sports.

"I told him that it was something we needed to get a little more information on, so I asked him to send me some background on it because we really weren't aware of it until it was brought to our attention verbally.'' Porter said the drugs issue was a concern to the ISF, but he said there had been few problems in the past and he regarded softball as a "clean sport''.

"This is an important matter there and it's important to our sport from a doping standpoint. We would hope that those who play softball within one of our national federations or associations are drug free -- it might not always be the situation, but our sport has been very successful thus far in having very few doping related situations,'' he said.

"We have had very few positive tests in international competition, as a matter of fact we have just finished the Olympics and we had none. There were no positive tests at our World Championships this year or at any other of our international competitions.'' While reiterating the ISF's stance, Porter added: "We will definitely keep our eye on the situation and we certainly have some interest in it.''