Shaun Goater and Alan Paris, it might be argued, have little in common.

Their chosen sports could hardly be further apart.

Yet in totally contrasting environments they've demonstrated what can be achieved when the will to succeed outweighs all else.

Goater, for all his goalscoring heroics, is no Ronaldo. Likewise, Paris probably wouldn't consider himself a sailing superstar.

But both have the right to feel immensely proud. And as Bermudians - one black , one white - their pride should be worn by the rest of the country.

It was pure coincidence that such significant chapters in their lives should draw to a close on the same day.

While the curtain came down on Goater's glorious career at Manchester City, fittingly in front of a sell-out crowd who were also bidding farewell to the club's Maine Road Stadium, across the pond Paris was bringing to an end a remarkable solo voyage around the world.

Sunday, May 11, 2003, was a day neither will ever forget. Nor should Bermuda.

Their accomplishments should be celebrated in a manner which reflects the enormous contribution both have made to this tiny island.

The announcement this week that Paris' boat, BTC Velocity, will be brought back to the Island as a permanent exhibit was welcome news. It would have been a crying shame had a craft so significant in Bermuda's sailing history been sold and forgotten.

But what about the man himself. As with Goater, Bermuda owes him a massive thankyou.

How that might be achieved is open to debate.

But when Goater returns for his Grassroots Soccer Festival in a couple of weeks' time, would it not be fitting for the pair to be paraded through Hamilton side by side in a open top car in order that Bermuda could show its appreciation?

As sporting ambassadors, the impact they've made on this country is immeasurable.

Our politicians might want to believe otherwise, but like it or not there's precious little that occurs on this mid-Atlantic dot that serves to make any impression on the rest of the world.

Goater and Paris are the rare exception.

They've been recognised worldwide. Let's give them a homecoming to remember.

* * * *

IT hasn't been the most auspicious start to the cricket season.

In fact, it's been dogged by one controversy after another, none more bizarre than Bermuda Cricket Board's reported threat to punish those who speak out publicly against the governing body.

We sometimes forget that cricket, as with all sports in Bermuda, is played on a purely amateur level. Those who partake do so for no other reason than their love of the game.

If they were being paid for their services it might be a different matter. But they are not. And as such if any player, rightly or wrongly, feels his rights are being infringed, he's being treated unfairly, or his team aren't been given a fair shake, then it's their democratic right to voice an opinion.

What on earth are the BCB attempting to achieve by slapping a muzzle on anyone who dares to criticise their administration?

There well may be, as president Reggie Pearman points out, a code of conduct to which all those in the league must adhere.

But at no cost can the Board be seen to be dictatorial to the extent that what they say matters, and what others say doesn't.

Every complaint from the players deserves to be heard. Working together is the only way any sport can hope to improve.

If the BCB think they can gag players, they best think again.

- ADRIAN ROBSON