Dear Mr. Editor,

I am writing to you today concerning the conflict between certain MP's and the reporting of Mr. Adrian Robson.

I am in disbelief that criticism from a sports journalist (who's job is to inform the public of the success's and failures of the teams representing our country), has been received so harshly by various members of government.

I am a firm believer that we can all learn from the mistakes we make. In saying this, following the dismal (some might say embarrassing) performances of some of our national teams in the past months, Robson's criticism is well deserved.

I feel that in the arena of international sport, a country must sometimes face the harsh reality that major changes are called for its national teams to develop the passion, hunger, and proper attitude that is needed to produce successful results.

Bermuda is a country that can and is producing world-class athletes in spite of its small population.

We must understand as a competing sporting nation that failure is inevitable, but we must use failure as a learning experience and not as kindling for conflict.

Through criticism we must make our athletes realise that the public closely watches their performance, and that misbehavior and half-hearted performances are not a good representation of our country and community.

I support our national athletes and praise their efforts, but I do feel that harsh criticism from a sports journalist should not result is threats of deportation.

"Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body.

It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things." - Winston Churchill.

Philippe Froncioni

Paget