Two stories appeared in the sports pages of this newspaper yesterday which might have reinforced the belief that one of Government's biggest blunders during their early term – albeit an easy one to make – was to designate football and cricket the Island's 'national' sports.

That decision preceded another which saw more than $26 million handed out to support those sports.

With football and cricket quite reasonably perceived, at that time, as Bermuda's most popular sporting activities, it was a decision which drew little criticism.

But had our politicians had the luxury of looking into the proverbial crystal ball, they might have realised it was a premature decision which would in time alienate so many other sports.

And so it has proved.

So much has changed in the years that have followed.

Bermuda Football Association and Bermuda Cricket Board will disagree but the faith Government entrusted in them has fallen a long way short of what had been expected.

Now it seems others, sailing and athletics in particular, are more worthy of the 'national sport' distinction.

Nobody has been more baffled by the exclusion of sailing than the IOD legend Eugene (Penny) Simmons as he explained in an interview with this paper.

Despite the cricketers' previously unthinkable appearance in the World Cup and the production in the past of such prominent pro footballers as Clyde Best, Randy Horton, Shaun Goater, Kyle Lightbourne and many others, outside these shores Bermuda continues to be recognised for its history as a sailing haven.

Simmons himself has flown the Bermuda flag with great pride for more than half a century. In that time he's sailed in four Olympics, collected a bronze medal at the Pan-Am Games and laid claim to no less than six world championship titles in the IOD class.

Modestly, he's never sought publicity over those achievements, but he's convinced there are so many on the water these days who have the talent to follow in his footsteps, even take the sport to a higher level.

"I'm surprised it has not been named a national sport. The history is there," he observed.

It's a view shared by many, both black and white. Sailors from both races have enjoyed success over the years. And it's a sport that has now broken down the barriers that once existed.

That, however, isn't the point.

Bermuda sailors are competing in all corners of the globe on almost a monthly basis, more so than any cricket or football team, and enjoying a darn more success.

Many years ago, track and field boasted some of the finest athletes in the Caribbean and North American region and made their mark on the world stage with astonishing success, Commonwealth Games high jump gold medallist Nicky Saunders, world indoor triple jump champion Brian Wellman and three-time Olympic sprint semi-finalist Troy Douglas leading the way.

Before them there was Debbie Jones, Cal Dill and even current Premier Ewart Brown who was a formidable sprinter who represented Bermuda at the Commonwealth Games.

Yes, there's been a lull in recent years, but it's a sport bouncing back with a vengeance.

As many as a dozen athletes will travel the world this summer for high profile events, the Commonwealth Games included, for which they have had to reach rigorous qualifying standards.

It bodes well for the future of the sport.

But at the moment, in the eyes of Government, they will have to play second fiddle to our current national sports.

If ever there was a time for our leaders to re-assess their commitment to sport, then it is now.

Sailing and track and field are making a strong case for their elevation to a more respected status. And there are others, particularly swimming, who are knocking on the door.

Cricket and football have had their chance. Maybe it's time to pass on the baton and let the likes of sailing and track and field become the sports which will be recognised as those that can best represent Bermuda on an international level.

They've earned that recognition.

– ADRIAN ROBSON