ONE World Cup campaign?s over, another?s about to begin.

And guess what? There?s still far more activity off the field than there is on.

What is it about Bermuda that whenever a major sporting event is about to commence, those saddled with the responsibility of putting out a national team almost as a matter of course shoot themselves in the foot?

With the recent soccer World Cup qualifiers we witnessed rows over team selection, training facilities, lack of sponsorship and failure to book accommodation for the visiting opponents.

Despite all of Bermuda Football Association?s troubles, coach Kenny Thompson and his squad still managed an admirable performance on the pitch.

But now with the Americas Championship ? the initial qualifying competition for World Cup cricket ? just days away and with the Island playing host, it seems Bermuda Cricket Board are determined to upstage their Cedar Avenue office neighbours in terms of who can create the most controversy.

The storm that erupted on Tuesday of this week over the omission from the national team of wicketkeeper Jason Anderson could have been so easily avoided.

Yet inexplicably the BCB allowed it to completely disrupt preparations for next week?s tournament which will see three of six competing nations advance to the ICC Trophy in Ireland next year which in turn will decide which non-Test playing countries will play in the 2007 World Cup finals in the Caribbean.

How ironic ? some critics might say irresponsible ? that such a row blew up just days before a decision will be taken on whether Bermuda will play a role as hosts of that World Cup.

Were there any last minute doubts in the ICC-appointed panel?s mind about whether Bermuda or the USA be awarded World Cup games, those in charge need only to have glanced at Wednesday?s headlines ? ?Cricket in turmoil? ? to have reached their final decision.

Also, those headlines can hardly have impressed Bank of Bermuda executives who abruptly called off a press conference scheduled for yesterday at which they were to have announced a sponsorship package.

Bermuda?s sports governing bodies just seem to have this uncanny knack of self-destructing.

The national cricket team?s run-up to next week?s tournament has hardly been ideal. Our only real preparation has been a couple of matches against Lloyd?s of London, a bunch of over-aged enthusiastic club cricketers who would struggle against a decent schoolboy side.

Why they were touted as a side who could help hone the Bermuda players? skills ahead of much tougher competition next week, heaven knows.

But if that wasn?t bad enough, we then had the players threatening a revolt when it was revealed on Tuesday night that Anderson, who had been training with the squad and among his peers is recognised as the Island?s best wicketkeeper, wouldn?t be among the final 15.

Apparently Anderson was invited to train without the knowledge of the executive committee who had no intention of allowing him to be included in the final squad.

However, it seems strange that if Anderson has not been charged with any specific offence or hauled before a BCB disciplinary committee, then how can he be singled out among a squad that features more than a few players with suspect temperament.

In defence of those who wanted Anderson excluded, the player?s persistent temper tantrums could prove a real liability were he to act up in front of ICC umpires and international match commissioners during next week?s tournament.

But to be fair to the player, he isn?t the only one in the squad with a blotted copy book. Current skipper Clay Smith, former skipper Charle Marshall and explosive batsman Glenn Blakeney have all had their run-ins with the BCB.

Like Anderson, they?ve all served their punishment and are now back in the good books.

The question that begs is: If Anderson were to be ultimately excluded from final selection then why was he invited to train with the squad in the first place?

It?s much like Clarence Hill?s omission from the Hall of Fame. Why include him on the short list of nominees if his ?character and integrity? exclude him from inauguration.

On paper, Bermuda has a real chance of success next week. We should beat both Bahamas and Argentina and most probably Cayman Islands. Canada and USA are a slightly different proposition.

But with three teams booking their ticket to Ireland and with players such as Smith, Blakeney and Dwayne Leverock showing such devastating form in the domestic league ? albeit against much inferior opposition ? team spirit should be high.

Instead it?s been undermined by a dispute which should never have arisen.

It?s just not cricket!

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BERMUDA Track and Field Association have taken plenty of hits in the past from this column.

And there?ll be no apologies on that score.

But credit where credit?s due. On the heels of a hugely successful Carifta Games, coach Gerry Swan?s team have now returned from the CAC Junior Games with another bunch of medals.

Finally, it seems much of the athletic talent harboured in Bermuda is being tapped.

If only the governing body could now make their peace with Mid-Island Striders, then we really would have something to shout about.

Track and field has always had a bright future, but perhaps never moreso than it has now.

It?s unlikely we?ll have any BTFA athletes at this summer?s Olympics in Greece. But the potential for Beijing in 2008 is enormous.

Let?s hope it?s realised.

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HAS anyone noticed that of all the recent letters published in Sports Mailbox criticising Kenny Thompson and his players both before and during the World Cup matches ? and there have been around half a dozen with that theme ? not one of the writers has had the courage to reveal their identity?

Given such spineless anonymity, why would anyone take their comments seriously?