international programme is gaining momentum with incoming tours starting this weekend.

NCAA Division I team Columbia University of New York will arrive in Bermuda tomorrow for three matches over the next week. That should set the tone for the next two friendly matches against the United States `B' team at the end of this month.

The two matches will be against the Olympic team (under 23) and the National Select which will include professional strikers Kyle Lightbourne and Shawn Goater.

Former national team coach Carlton (Pepe) Dill will handle the under 23s while Technical Director of Coaching Burkhard Ziese will be in charge of the national team.

The matches are part of the preparation for the under 20 qualifying matches for the Youth CONCACAF in El Salvador in November and the Olympic qualifying campaign which is expected to begin next year.

"The BFA is hoping that by rejuvenating our national programme and preparing ourselves to enter international competitions that the sporting public will support our endeavours,'' said David Sabir, the BFA administrative assistant.

"We're trying to give our local players the goal to strive and hopefully through the involvement of our national programme individual opportunities will be realised in the areas of social, behaviour and academic development, and community pride. There is quite a lot of activity between now and the end of March.'' Columbia open their tour on Saturday at St. David's when they take on a combined St. David's-St. George's team at 3 p.m.

On Tuesday night at BAA they take on the under 20 national team, coached by Sam Nusum, and next Thursday play their final match in Bermuda against the Olympic team at Somerset at 8 p.m.

Next Monday also sees the under 20 and Olympic squad playing in an exhibition match at the National Stadium at 6.30 p.m., prior to a lacrosse match at 8.30 p.m. between two visiting teams. Proceeds from gate receipts will be donated to a few local clubs to assist with their development programmes.

The Lanzera Youth Tournament also starts in the same week as the United States `B' matches and will involve under 16 and under 19 teams from Bermuda.

Prior to the national team's match against the US on March 29, will be a match in the Lanzera tournament between the Bermuda under 19s and Silver Lakes soccer team from the United States.

On Thursday, there will be a triple-header on tap, starting at 4 p.m. with the under 16 and under 19 finals in the Lanzera Tournament, before the feature match at 8 p.m.

Players in the United States `B' team are aged 21 to 23 and 18 players will be making the trip, coached by John Ellinger of Columbia, Maryland with Tom Fitzgerald his assistant.

The list of players includes goalkeeper Dusty Hudock who led the nation's goalkeepers in 1992. In two seasons for the University of Washington, Hudock has posted 16 shutouts and played in all but 40 minutes of Washington's 17 games in his first season.

Defender Matt Kmosko has played three times for the US national team (1992), making his debut against Costa Rica. Jason Kreis helped Duke University reach the semifinals of the 1992 Division I championships where they lost 3-0.

Among the other players who have played for the US at youth level are Todd Yeagley, a defender and striker Brian McBride, who have represented his country at both under 20 and `B' team level. A junior at Indiana University, Yeagley led the school in scoring in his freshman year, scoring 12 goals before moving from midfield to defence.

McBride played also played a full international last year against Honduras.

The Second Division makeup match between Devonshire Cougars and Hamilton Parish will be played tonight at Devonshire Rec at 9 p.m.

Cougars have already booked their return to the First Division but are now aiming to finish the season unbeaten and land the Second Division and Shield double in the process.

Tonight's match will be preceded at 7 p.m. by the Premier Junior Knockout Cup final between PHC and Somerset.