evening's Heritage Invitational Track and Field Championships were scuttled at the 11th hour when he was handed a 18-month ban by the Bermuda Track and Field Association.

The 26-year-old athlete, who was informed of the suspension yesterday morning, said that he intended to file an immediate appeal and hopefully still be able to compete in the classic which gets underway at 6 p.m.

BTFA president Phillip Guishard, who during a press conference said that the athlete could appeal within a seven-day period, said last night however that even if DeSilva appealed today he still would not be allowed to participate tonight. "The penalty will stand,'' insisted the president.

DeSilva's suspension however is not too severe since it will only see him serving six months of the imposed time. The ban will run from July 4, 1992 to January 4, 1994.

"This suspension, if received in a responsible way, will provide an opportunity for Mr. DeSilva to put the incident behind him, pay the penalty for his action, and to return to competition in time to qualify for the Commonwealth Games in Canada next year,'' said Guishard.

Disciplinary action was handed down after DeSilva attacked the association's vice president Stanley Douglas during last year's Heritage Invitational.

The athlete was last night irritated by the suspension and vowed to take the association to court because of the way they have dealt with the matter.

"I think they are tearing it a bit by taking such a long period to deal with this matter, it's just crazy. Heaven only knows why they did not deal with it sooner,'' said DeSilva.

"I'm quite upset by the whole thing, the suspension is totally out of order and as of now my intention is to take them to court.'' That the suspension was handed down on the eve of the meet was defended by Guishard, although DeSilva strongly felt that the timing was clearly an attempt to block him from appearing.

"It's coincidental that the report came to the fore at this time,'' insisted Guishard at the press conference.

The president attributed the long delay to the fact that key executives, including himself, were travelling last summer combined with the fact that the incident occurred at the end of the season. It also took time to assemble some documents relative to the incident, he said. "The matter just forged on,'' said Guishard.

The disciplinary development has taken some of the glitter away from tonight's meet and yesterday there was a clear indication that it had even sidetracked the association when no schedule was made available during the press conference.

Co-organiser Steve Burgess last night confirmed the appearance of several overseas entrants, whose job it would be to push the locals.

The glamour event, 5,000 metres with $700 on offer, will feature Marathon Derby champion Kavin Smith, Terrance Armstrong and Jay Donawa along with four sponsored runners.

Armstrong returned home with teammates Brian and Scott McGee and Harry Drew, all of Rider College. Adding to the list is defending champion Spyros Barres, originally of Greece, who surprised many with a sterling performance last year.

"It'll probably be the best distance race we've seen on the Island in some time,'' said Burgess, who added that many of the aforementioned would also return for the 1,500. "Kavin's in great shape as is Terrance and Jay is always in good form, which makes things interesting to say the least.'' On the female side, Diane Tedford, from the Boston Athletic Club will line up for the 1,500. She sports a personal best of four minutes, 36 seconds and will have Jennifer Fisher, Anna Eatherley and Jane Christie as her main competition.

Other foreign participants include Morgan State University's Geneva Pugh -- 100 and 200 metres -- and Derry Pemberton -- 100, 200 and 400.

Time changes for events include the Corporate Sprint Relay, which has been moved to 8.20 p.m. and the women's 1,500, now scheduled for 9.45 p.m.

NICK-COLE DeSILVA -- "The suspension is totally out of order and as of now my intention is to take them to court.''