A simmering row between Bermuda Track and Field Association and the Mid-Island Striders Club could come to a head in the New Year after Striders coach Renalda Swan yesterday challenged the governing body's hierarchy and Sports Minister Dale Butler to a public debate.

The ongoing dispute centres on selection of the Island's track and field team for next Easter's CARIFTA Games, which will be held in Bermuda.

Incensed by comments made by BTFA president Judy Simmons when she appeared on a local radio talk show on Thursday, Swan declared that it was time that the public were given "the full story".

Controversy over the Games has raged since the BTFA announced that all athletes wanting to represent Bermuda would have to train under senior national coach Gerry Swan. Club coaches were given until December 15 to forward the names of their best athletes, who would then have to train exclusively within the national programme.

Many observers have questioned that policy, pointing out that the athletes should be allowed to train with their own coaches and selection be determined by trials prior to the start of the Games.

Striders, whose club have several promising youngsters, have refused to hand over their athletes.

And yesterday coach Swan ? no relation to Gerry Swan ? said it was in the best interests of the sport that all the facts be laid on the table.

"I don't think the public have been given the full story," said Swan, a former 400 metres runner who represented Bermuda at the Olympics.

"There is so much misinformation out there. I want to challenge them (BTFA) and the Minister to a public debate.

"Mid-Island Striders are tired of all the innuendoes. And we would like a public debate to get everything out in the open. We would like the Minister, Gerry Swan and Judy Simmons to be present.

"They (BTFA) are in charge of the national programme. Let them go on air and defend their record.

"The Minister has been misinformed. But it's not only that, the public need to know exactly what is going on.

"I'm prepared to go face to face with them, and I would welcome (coach) Steve Burgess to join me. His problems with the governing body and his athletes go back some 12 years. Let's air all of our grievances."

Swan said he was annoyed by some of the comments made by Simmons on the radio, particularly when it was clear that she wasn't properly informed.

"For instance, Judy said I was only a reserve at the Olympics. I took great exception to that," said Swan.

"I ran the open 400 metres at the Olympics and I was a reserve for the 4x100 relay.

"I competed individually. For her to make comments like that, as president she should know better."

Sports Minister Butler has repeatedly thrown his support behind the BTFA.

On Thursday, he urged all clubs to see "the wisdom of moving forward with the BTFA.

"I'm making an appeal for them to join their national association and bury the hatchet. Those guys need to get on board . . . and see Bermuda out there with our best."

Butler even threatened to cut off Government funding for athletic clubs.

" . . . we would have to look very seriously at those coaches who would probably not receive any funding from this department," he warned.

However, that was seen as an idle threat as individual athletics clubs have never been known to receive direct funding from Government.

Meanwhile, although West End Athletic Club don't agree with all of the policies laid down by the BTFA, president Clarence Smith confirmed yesterday that as many as eight of the club's most promising youngsters would join the national programme.

"As a club we have always encouraged our members to become a part of the team," said Smith, the father of top distance runner Kavin Smith.

"We have never refused to comply. We have been encouraging our members from day one to become a part of the national programme.

"We do not want to become involved in any controversy.

"Our general membership does not want us to get involved with any conflict at this stage of the game.

"There have been a few (athletes) who have said 'I don't want to do it', but we are encouraging them otherwise.

"We have about eight athletes who will be hoping to qualify for CARIFTA and we'll be doing everything we can to help them achieve that goal."

Bermuda Pacers Track Club Cal Simons has also gone on record as saying he supported the governing body's stance and has placed his best athletes under national coach Swan.