regarding Bermuda's participation in qualifying rounds for the 1996 Olympic Games.

According to Brenton Roberts, director of Youth, Sport and Recreation, a meeting has been scheduled for today between the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Recreation and the BFA, but it's unclear whether it will involve issues related to Olympic participation.

Just over a week ago The Royal Gazette revealed that the BFA was on the verge of pulling the plug on the Olympic squad because of a lack of cash. The squad is currently training for a first leg qualifying tie against Costa Rica on July 29 at National Stadium.

BFA officials first informed coach Mark Trott and a stunned group of players of the possible withdrawal during a training session. Since then all have been left in limbo, with no formal announcement being made.

However, BFA president Richard Thompson said yesterday that a formal announcement would be made within the "next week or so'' concerning the association's position.

"There was an article last week where we said that we were considering the options and we have (still) not made a final decision,'' said Thompson, enduring a turbulent first term as leader of the BFA.

"A formal announcement will be made soon, I can assure you.'' Still, Roberts made it clear that he was unaware of the exact nature of the meeting and whether it would be to discuss latest moves by soccer's governing body to initiate recommendations set out by the Board of Inquiry or whether it is a last-gasp attempt at securing funds for the Olympic team.

"I can only assume that the meeting we're having would be along those lines, but we won't know until we actually sit down for discussion,'' said Roberts.

"The only thing we know right now is what's been printed in the media recently, but we're not aware of the exact situation.

"By the weekend you may hear more about it.'' Asked if the department might consider supplying funds in order to spare Bermuda the embarrassment and a possible backlash from FIFA, the world governing body of soccer, Roberts said it was a matter for Sports Minister Pam Gordon to determine.

"The Minister would have to decide anything like that as she is in charge of the budget and would be the one to determine whether the ministry is in a financial position to offer assistance.'' Since the Florida drug bust involving seven members of the ill-fated Bermuda Under-23 team corporate contributions have all but evaporated, hurling the national programme into further turmoil.

Richard Thompson