particular interest since the event is being held at the Cayman Islands' brand new three million dollar stadium.

Stanley Douglas, president of the Bermuda Track and Field Association, said that this year's programme is expected to be an extraordinary one with the host going all out to satisfy everyone.

"We are expecting it to be a really good programme. They have come quite a way since entering the event in recent years with only a handful of athletes to becoming host and offering the use of their brand new stadium,'' said Douglas.

The games will be held on Easter weekend and Bermuda are hoping to send anywhere from 10 to 15 athletes.

With solid backing from both the business and public sector the Cayman Islands have invested a lot in preparing for the event which, according to Douglas, will cost them around $80,000 to host.

"It's a phenomenal task and the fact that they are doing it says a lot. They are a country somewhat like ours that is small and built on an economic community of exempt companies and banking. However they have the full support of their community when it came around to helping to raise funds for this huge undertaking,'' said Douglas.

BTFA vice-president responsible for track and field Norbert Simons was just as ecstatic about this year's games and said that he expected the current number of 10 who have qualified to increase within the next week.

"Things are going well, everybody is trying hard to meet the qualifying mark,'' said Simons.

Among those who have qualified in the Under-20 age group are high jumper Stephen Woodley, Donte Hunt (triple jump and 100 metres), Michael Donawa (800 and 1,500 metres), Damien Simmons and Damon Ming (800 metres) and in the girl's Under-17 group Gina Cann (100 and 200 metres) and Jarita Dill (400 and 800 metres).

The squad leaves on April 12.