Stars of sport and screen are set to mingle with locals in one of the biggest sports fund-raising events the Island has ever staged.

Thanks to the contacts of American tennis player Lori McNeil and the ambition of the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association, plans for the celebrity tennis and golf event are close to fruition.

Former National Basketball Association stars Clyde Drexler and John Lucas, tennis stars Zina Garrison and Amanda Coetzer, as well as actress Robin Givens, the former wife of heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson, are keen to take part.

Tennis superstar and Bermuda resident Patrick Rafter has also expressed an interest in being involved if he is on the Island at the time of the event.

All are friends of McNeil, a former Wimbledon and US Open semi-finalist, who will herself be participating.

The Elbow Beach resort has pledged substantial backing to the project, including accommodation for the celebrities.

Tennis will be the beneficiary, with the BLTA hopeful of raising more than $70,000 to help finance their development programme.

To make the Lori McNeil Pro Celebrity Classic a reality, the BLTA need sufficient support from local companies to make the project financially viable. And the deadline for businesses or individuals to sign up is May 10.

The event, earmarked for September 23-30, will entail a programme of 11 events, including chances to play tennis and be coached by the pros, a golf tournament at Port Royal, water sports, two parties and a black tie dinner.

The BLTA has sent out a circular to companies. A $5,000 contribution buys participation in all 11 events for two people.

McNeil visited Bermuda for the first time last October and her fundraising plan was first mooted in discussions then with BLTA president David Lambert.

Speaking from her base in the Washington DC area, McNeil said: "I was pretty impressed with the juniors I saw play in Bermuda and with the level of talent over there and this will just be a great way to help and get involved with them.

"I thought they worked hard and they were pretty receptive. But they don't get to the US much and they need that for their development. Hopefully, this money will help them do that.'' McNeil added that her high-profile friends were attracted by Bermuda's beauty and the prospect of having some fun and helping others at the same time.

"My friends love having a good time, especially when it's for a good cause,'' said McNeil. "We support each other. When they are involved in an event like this, I like to participate. And this time they are supporting me.

"Apart from those I've mentioned, there are a few other people who may be coming. I spoke to Patrick (Rafter) on the phone the other day and he said if he was around he would drop in. I was hoping to get 10 people including myself involved.'' McNeil added she knew most of her athlete friends from growing up together in Houston, Texas.

Garrison, Houston born and bred, defeated Monica Seles and Steffi Graf on the way to the 1990 Wimbledon final at a time when she was ranked number four in the world. She won 14 career singles titles.

Coetzer, of South Africa, is one of the world's top female players and is McNeil's doubles partner on the WTA Tour. The pair have won a tournament this year.

Drexler was one of basketball's all-time great guards, a 10-time NBA All-Star nicknamed `Clyde the Glide' because of his effortless swoops to the basket with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets.

Lucas was another star of the NBA, who went on to become a coach.

Lambert said he was thrilled and grateful with McNeil's efforts, as well as the support from his employers, Elbow Beach.

"We are very fortunate to have the help of Lori McNeil, who is herself a great champion, in getting together these renowned personalities and world-class athletes,'' said Lambert.

"We hope that businesses and individuals will support this worthwhile event.

We do have some sponsorship already, but to make this happen we need additional backers.'' Lambert said funds raised would help to fulfil the raw potential of talented youngsters and to prepare Bermuda teams better for competitions like the Davis Cup, the Federation Cup and the Caribbean Junior Championships.

The money would help to expose players to tougher opposition overseas and to send them to the International Tennis Federation training camp in Florida, he added.

"We've always had the talent, we just need the exposure,'' he said. "And we are prepared to work as hard to make this happen as the players do on court.'' Lambert said he and other BLTA officials were willing to visit interested companies to give presentations explaining more.

Those interested in signing up for the event before the May 10 deadline can do so by contacting the BLTA office on 296-0834 or by contacting Lambert at the Elbow Beach tennis shop on 239-8908.

Lori McNeil: ready to bring her celebrity friends to Bermuda.

GOLF GLF FUND RAISER FNR