A LITTLE goodwill can go a long way.

Someone might like to pass that message onto our beleaguered track and field association whose decision to rake a levy from what was essentially a free event for junior runners - sponsors KPMG having waived the usual $5 entry fee - may have done more harm to their already tattered reputation than they could ever imagine.

How ironic that the BTFA's public show of avarice should be demonstrated on the same weekend that invited guest at Government's Annual Sports Conference, Dan Doyle, spoke so passionately and eloquently on the subject of "Ethics in Sport" - impressing on his audience the value of "doing the honourable thing".

Sadly, there was nothing honourable about the way in which Bermuda's governing body of athletics handled an event which in recent years has rapidly grown to be one of the most significant on the junior running calendar.

Instead of embracing the sponsors' decision to give entrants a free run, they took umbrage at such an unusual show of generosity and complained that as they normally impose a 25 percent levy on all entry fees, they would have to demand some compensation.

Both organisers Mid Atlantic Athletic Club and KPMG caved in to that demand and handed over a substantial amount of cash.

But as former MAAC president and leading marathoner Brett Forgesson pointed out in The Gazette this week it was simply another example of the BTFA's myopic inflexibility.

Here was a wonderful opportunity for the association to lend their support and encouragement to our athletes of the future and work hand in hand with the sponsors - the likes of which they so desperately need.

Instead the 240 youngsters who competed will have been left with the impression that the governing body don't give a hoot about development of the sport - not that that should have come as any great surprise. Quite clearly, the BTFA were only interested in Sunday's race for one reason - to make money.

And making matters so much worse was BTFA director Annette Hallett's pitiful attempt to justify their decision.

The Association, she whined, couldn't exist, couldn't hope to function without contributions from all the events it sanctions.

We wouldn't know that, though, because the BTFA haven't produced an audited financial statement for at least two years (some claim it's been much longer). We have no idea how they manage what are ostensibly public funds.

What we do know is that in the last year the individual athlete's BTFA registration fee has been doubled to $50, that thousands of dollars were raised from the inflated entry fees charged for the recent International Race Weekend (inflated because the Association haven't been able to attract any sponsors) and that thousands more are generated from the multitude of races organised by local clubs.

And what we also know is that the governing body don't plough so much as a red cent back into road running.

Yet without road running's contribution, their coaches and executives couldn't afford a bus fare to St. David's, let alone the trips to track and field meets overseas where it often appears that officials outnumber actual athletes.

Perhaps if Hallett could give athletes a detailed account of BTFA income and expenditure, demonstrating her claims of financial hardship, they might be more sympathetic to her and the governing body's cause. But given the history of this organisation, that's hardly likely.

Meanwhile, from this whole sorry saga both Mid Atlantic Athletic Club and KPMG emerge with very little credit.

Here was their opportunity to stand up to the BTFA and insist that with or without the governing body's support, the event would go ahead. As Forgesson pointed out, 25 percent of nothing is nothing and thus the BTFA had no grounds on which to make their demand.

But instead the organisers and the sponsors meekly capitulated.

Our running leaders may have strong legs but some seem to suffer from an awfully weak backbone.

Not for the first time they have allowed themselves and the athletes they represent to be bullied into a course of action which can only lead to more problems further down the road.

Until all those subjected to the dictatorial policies of the local athletics oligarchy take a stance and demand accountability, then nothing will change.

In a vicious circle, the athletes and those who govern them will get exactly what they deserve.

BTFA president Judy Simmons has in recent weeks publicly appealed for more athletes to join the national programme, for more sponsors to come on board and - surprise, surprise - more cash contributions.

As John McEnroe might have said: "You cannot be serious!"

- ADRIANROBSON