Renowned international sports author, collegian basketball coach and administrator Dan Doyle will be the keynote speaker during the Department Of Youth, Sport and Recreation's 19th Annual Sports Conference to be held at the Bermuda College on January 24 and 25.

Doyle, a founder and executive director of the Institute for International Sport, will kick off the conference on Friday, January 24 at the Stonington campus where he will address the audience on the topic of Ethics and Sportsmanship.

The Institute for International Sport is a non-profit organisation that utilises sport as a medium to help promote and improve international relations.

All local sports bodies have been invited to participate in the conference as Government works towards developing a code of ethics for sport in Bermuda.

Doyle, a former Trinity College (Connecticut) intercollegiate basketball coach, will head up workshops aimed at drafting an ethical code for local sport following his address.

On Saturday, January 25, Doyle hopes to enlighten the conference on a wide range of sports related subjects, among them college and university scholarships.

There will also be an open discussion period following his address in which Doyle will respond to questions raised from the floor.

Other topics on this year's agenda include the next development phase for the National Sports Centre, progress on the Sports Hall of Fame for Bermuda, and the recent findings of a report on local women in sport compiled by a special committee which was appointed by Sports Minister Randy Horton.

During this year's conference, all graduates of the Ministry of Sports Management Certificate Programme, administered by the Bermuda College, will receive their certification. A report on a National Sportsmanship Day for Bermuda will also be discussed while Minister Horton will close out the conference by responding to any questions raised related to his ministry.

"This conference provides an opportunity for sports organisations to feed input into national policy and collaborate with us on important sports matters that affect us all," said Horton during yesterday's press conference at the Cabinet Building.

"I am excited about this year's event and I look forward to participating, interacting and listening to the concerns and aspirations of Bermuda's sporting organisations. But more importantly, I wish to work with the sports bodies to develop common goals and ensure that we progress down the same road in a cooperative, collaborative way to develop positive, exciting and meaningful opportunities for our young people.

"I wish to create an environment in sport where every child fulfils his or her personal goals and ambitions in sport."