Bermuda's national sporting bodies have been given a stark warning by the Sports Ministry that they must be in line with the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) regulations by January 1, 2010.

And if they are not, they could suffer severe repercussions.

The Ministry told the Island's sporting bodies that they must submit "all required information to the Bermuda Council for Drug Free Sports (BCDS) by the end of the year" and if they don't it could result in funding being stopped and the use of Government facilities "will be restricted".

In an e-mail to the sporting bodies, Government warned: "The Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation may be required to contact international governing bodies of your non compliant status, which may mean that your status as a national sport governing body may be in jeopardy."

The majority of Bermuda's national sporting bodies have much work to do before next year.

The Ministry said there were four major mandatory items that the bodies are required to adhere to:

* Constitution change to include WADA.

* Domestic membership lists.

* Domestic pre-event notification.

* The WADA programme regarding the whereabouts of athletes.

And most of Bermuda's sporting bodies are not compliant.

The Ministry said that the following national sports governing bodies are not compliant "in one or more of the above mandatory items".

Those bodies are: Bermuda Amateur Boxing, Bermuda Softball Association, Bermuda Badminton Association, Bermuda Basketball Association, Bermuda Bicycle Association, Bermuda Body Building Federation, Bermuda Bowling Federation, Bermuda Cricket Board, Bermuda Darts Association, Bermuda Equestrian Federation, Bermuda Football Association, Bermuda Golf Association, Bermuda Hockey Association, Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association, Bermuda Luge Association, Bermuda Martial Arts Federation, Bermuda Netball Association, Bermuda Powerboat Association, Bermuda Personal Watercraft Association, Bermuda Rowing Association, Bermuda Squash Racquets Association, Bermuda Target Shooting Association, Bermuda Track and Field Association, Bermuda Triathlon Association, Bermuda Volleyball Association and the National Archery Association.

Since that e-mail was sent out a couple of weeks' ago a number of sporting bodies have been scrambling to get the required information into the BCDS.

Executive director of the BCDS, Cathy Belvedere, said this week: "They (national sporting bodies) are getting there. I have had a lot of stuff come in since that e-mail was sent out, which is great. When a threat like that comes and you don't pay attention to it you are really stupid.

"I think that many of them are really seeing the consequences if they don't comply. They saw that they might not be the national sporting body if they don't comply.

"I must admit it was shocking to me when I looked at the number of sporting bodies that were not compliant."

And Belvedere said it was not like the associations have not known this was coming.

"There have been four events at minimum where we have given them the information over the last two years. We made it mandatory for them to attend those meetings and if they didn't attend we would report them to Sports Ministry.

"I honestly think that it is Bermuda complacency – we are always doing things at the last minute. Some of them may think that it really doesn't apply to them – or they think they can work around it or find a shortcut or go in a back door somewhere. That is not going to work.

"And there are some who have made no contact at all which I am a little worried about – I want them to do what they have to do.

"At the end of the day we are here to serve the athletes. We want our athletes to be able to compete. But some bodies just don't understand that this is really important."

In fact, Bermuda is nearly a year behind in some aspects of compliance.

Belvedere said "We were supposed to be compliant in some things in January of 2009 so we are a year behind. We have to be compliant in January of 2010 and if we are not, WADA will be issuing a list of countries that are not compliant."

And that could see a crisis in Bermuda sport.

"If that happens then it is possible that our athletes will not be allowed to participate in anything outside the country and the other thing is that Bermuda will not be allowed to host anything in the country. We only have a short time to tighten up," said the BCDS executive director.

Jon Beard, chairman of the BCDS, said complacency among the local bodies had been a problem. But he added "I do understand it is difficult for them. After all most of our sporting bodes are run by volunteers and getting this information and being compliant can seem daunting to them. I have seen both sides of it. But it has to be done and I take my hat off to Government for sending out that warning. It will make people sit up and pay attention."

Belvedere said the main thing that needed to be done by the national sporting bodies was the change their constitution.

"And the majority have done that. They have to have a special general meeting in order to change their constitution and as long as they can show me that they are making some effort they can probably get some leeway. Then there is the membership lists and the whereabouts of the athletes. We cannot test athletes if we do not know where they are."

Belvedere was referring to Bermuda's athletes who will represent the country.

For instance, those athletes going to the CAC Games next summer must be able to tell the BCDS where they will be for a hour a day for a year "on a quarterly basis".

For some it is easier than others.

Belvedere said many athletes had a daily training schedule which helps a great deal.

"But it is a challenge for athletes (representing Bermuda) who work full time and are a part-time athlete.

"They do not have a consistent and regular schedule – there are people who have busy schedule especially if they are in a middle management position and are not flexible. They do train in the week but not consistently – it is not like they can say to us that they will be at the National Stadium between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. every day.

"The triathletes are most difficult. They will get up early in the morning and go out on the bike on a Monday, or a Wednesday. It is a challenge for them. They put the hours (of training) in and the effort but it is not on a consistent basis. So it is difficult for them to say where they are going to be.

"But if you are going to represent Bermuda you will be tested. If it is a team – say a national hockey team – then there is what we call a team whereabouts and that is easier.

"If you are touring as a club team but flying the Bermuda flag then all the athletes will be tested. For instance, Devonshire Rec are going away to compete in CONCACAF. They will all have to come in and be tested because they are representing Bermuda."

As far as the sporting bodies go, five percent of the membership will be tested annually.

And Belvedere warned athletes about using marking agents which are available in Bermuda.

"Don't waste your money," she said. "We will know if you are using marking agents."