KENNY THOMPSON?S decision to cut ties with Bermuda Football Association, announced this week, likely caught no one by surprise.

As would be expected, the BFA?s Director of Youth Development was diplomatic in explaining his need for change and predictably BFA president Larry Mussenden lamented his departure, heaping praise on the contribution Thompson has made during his three-year tenure.

Yet it?s difficult to believe the split was as amicable as they would have us believe.

When he came on board, Thompson?s passion and enthusiasm for the task at hand were almost palpable, even moreso throughout his spell as national coach during last year?s World Cup campaign.

How that changed once Bermuda were eliminated.

While most of the country supported his efforts, stinging criticism from a small group of detractors seemed to take its toll.

Relieved of his temporary role as national coach and ultimately replaced by Kyle Lightbourne, Thompson perhaps felt somewhat slighted by his own employers.

While his job was always to develop the Island?s youth programme, one sensed he had much greater ambitions in the game, and there are many, players included, who believe his astute footballing brain has in some respects been wasted.

Those in the media who worked with Kenny can tell you he was the complete professional, a joy to interview. Always approachable, he displayed a refreshing honesty which isn?t always evident among the Island?s sports hierarchy.

From where we stand, he?ll be sadly missed.

But it?s the game itself that will miss him most. He had a great deal more to offer.

WHILE Thompson bowed out, another well known sports administrator opened a new chapter in his life this week.

Track coach and former football referee Cal Simons quit his teaching post and took over from the retiring Phil Guishard as the Ministry of Youth and Sport?s Senior Development Officer.

And quite frankly we can?t think of anybody better for the job. Certainly, there?s no one who comes even close to Simons in terms of sheer, unbridled enthusiasm.

Over the years he?s devoted an enormous amount of his spare time to helping others, particularly children ? either on the track with his beloved Pacers, on the football field or in any number of after-school activities.

Knowing Cal, he?ll continue in that vein for some years to come while at the same time using his own vast experience to help Government formulate a better programme for all sports.

We wish him well.

IT was interesting to read this week that those in harness racing are about to implement a policy which will require ponies to be drug tested.

Not a bad idea at all, given the increasing competitiveness down at Vesey Street.

But isn?t it somewhat ironic that here in Bermuda we?re contemplating testing animals for performance-enhancing drugs, yet we don?t do the same for our athletes?

Are we so naive as to believe that absolutely none of our sportsmen or sportswomen are trying to gain the same unfair advantage as the drug cheats exposed in just about every other country?