in a West Indies Cricket Board-sponsored seminar which will be attended by some of the world's leading cricket officials.

Francis said he wasn't sure what would be on the agenda but expected lengthy discussions involving recommendations to improve a number of existing rules.

"I haven't been informed about any real agenda,'' he said before leaving. "I just happened to get a telephone invitation from their cricket board and accepted it without any hesitation.

"It is an honour to have been asked and I hope that all the umpires here in the Island will continue to be recognised by both the West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association.'' Francis will be following in the footsteps of Randy Butler who went to the same conference a year ago.

Francis has been one of the most active officials in local cricket, but he has become increasingly involved at the international level.

A member of the BCUA for 21 years, he officiated in two Red Stripe trial matches in Jamaica in 1992, was Bermuda's lone representative during the ICC Trophy competition in Kenya in 1994 and umpired two matches in Jamaica this year during the All Island Sandals knockout.

Francis said that while he still hoped Bermuda umpires would one day be chosen to officiate at more Red Stripe Bowl matches, none would be involved in this year's competition which begins at the end of this month in Jamaica and in Leeward Islands.

"The umpires for the series have already been picked and they have opted to use just eight, four in each of the two zones,'' said Francis. "But I understand that after the seminar in Antigua they will be picking umpires for the Busta Cup, the former four-day Shell series, and there is a possibility that Bermuda officials will be given consideration for that competition.'' CONFERENCE CON