with their sons, a political meeting heard last week.

Shadow Youth Development Minister Nelson Bascome made this statement during his wide-ranging speech during the Progressive Labour Party's first summertime rally last Thursday at the PHC Stadium in Warwick.

Mr. Bascome, an Opposition member of Parliament for Pembroke East and a former president of Devonshire Colts soccer club, said that he noticed a lack of fathers at matches when their sons are playing.

And he said it was extremely difficult to find male volunteers to assist with the coaching and preparation of junior soccer players.

He called on fathers to get more involved with their male children's lives.

Historically, Mr. Bascome said black males have lost out every time there had been a major economic shift in Bermuda's economy.

Whether it was the move from salt trading to ship building or piracy to privateering or agriculture.

And this trend has continued right up to the present, he pointed out, as Bermuda's black males are losing ground to their white peers in the tourism and international business sectors as well as the construction industry and the trades.

As a result he said there has been a move toward increased drug use as disenfranchised males attempt to "medicate'' themselves out of their misery.

"The development of our young people begins at home,'' he told the gathering.

"But there are a number of dysfunctional homes in Bermuda because of the pressures of work and educating children.'' In addition to religion and the teachings of the Bible, Mr. Bascome said that sport was one channel through which Bermuda's young people can develop.

To achieve this he said the Island needed to create training facilities so that international players can come to train and compete.

"If we can promote sports in this way we will create jobs and revenue for Bermuda,'' he continued.

"But we need to market our Island as an ideal place for sports teams especially from North America to train and play their games.''