team to tour the Island now that similar plans for a Cuba visit have been officially shelved.

Bermuda Football Association president Neville Tyrrell said yesterday that negotiations with Surinam were well underway and it's possible that they would find the invitation extended by the association to their liking. "I had the opportunity to talk with Surinam during a recent Caribbean Football Union meeting. They are doing a European tour some time prior to the end of the month and there is a possibility that may want to swing back this way, coming out of London. So we are hoping to hear something positive from them,'' said Tyrrell. Costly travel arrangements forced the Cubans to abandon plans for two friendly internationals against Bermuda's senior national team at the end of the month.

Bermuda have been training regularly under technical director Clyde Best for several weeks and the cancellation was disheartening to the team. But the BFA remain steadfast in a push to find alternative competition. Surinam are 145th in the world according to the latest FIFA rankings, released yesterday (Bermuda are 172nd).

"It's was unfortunate to hear about Cuba,'' said Tyrrell. "We had been pursuing them because we felt that they would be a very good draw as far as the Bermuda public is concerned. And we also felt that they would be a good test for our senior squad.'' In addition to Surinam, attempts are being made to lure other countries and teams to the Island as well. Among these are Jamaica and a team from a new professional soccer league in the United States. However, Tyrrell conceded that Jamaica's success in their World Cup qualifying round campaign may has made a probable tour of Bermuda less likely.

"As a result of their recent back to back wins I am certain that they are looking to doing even more intensive training. I know that they have made plans to go to Brazil for that reason, but we have asked them to look at us,'' said Tyrrell.

"It could be that we may have to fall back on one of the professional American clubs, we are talking about a tour similar to the one made by Kansas City this year. In fact Kansas City played a high level of soccer when they came and they they have agreed to help us attract some of the other teams they compete against. It's a matter of whose available.'' According to Tyrrell, the BFA were working hard on these tours because a serious attempt was being made to keep the national squad training regularly.

And the confirmation of a tour is the sort of incentive players require to keep them motivated.

The BFA are also negotiating with countries and teams about visiting the Island early in the new year.

"Because we don't get the crowds out that can cover the cost of staging a very good team here in Bermuda there are lots of negotiating involved, and we are continuing to work towards getting something worked out to benefit everybody,'' said Tyrrell.

Tyrrell also disclosed that the BFA are looking at the possibility of having a youth side, possibly the under-18s, going on a tour over the Christmas holidays.