Government has received an international tongue-lashing for lagging on the National Sports Centre's completion.

FIFA Vice-President Austin (Jack) Warner has expressed extreme disappointment that the Frog Lane project is still not finished - a decade-and-a-half after he was first shown plans for the multi- sport facility.

The apparent lack of urgency in finishing the NSC, he says, is hampering Bermuda's football development.

"I am disappointed it has not progressed further. When I came here six years ago I saw what was being done - in fact, 15 years ago I was shown the site and the plans - and I'm here now and it's still not completed.

"I told the acting Premier (Eugene Cox) that the time has come for them to take a serious look at its completion. For one thing, it will be more costly the longer they take. Secondly, they are denying the BFA (Bermuda Football Association) the right to organise big events and bring big teams here. They must put their shoulders to the wheel to have this project completed," said Warner, who spent Friday on the Island to attend the finals of the BFA's Under-17 International Youth Tournament that night.

Addressing a press conference, he added that, whenever completed, he hoped the NSC would follow the international trend of sport complexes having on-site dormitories for at least 50 persons (two teams). This, he explained, reduced tournament costs.

The Trinidadian pledged to support the BFA's quest to host more international football. At present, the Island is vying with St. Lucia to stage an Under-17 World Cup qualifying tournament in October and Warner, who is also CONCACAF and CFU (Caribbean Football Union) president,- has vowed to investigate a mix-up in this matter, with both countries allegedly being given the go-ahead for October.

"It's time we identify with Bermuda. Far too often Bermuda has been coming to the Caribbean to take part in competitions but each time we want it to be hosted here, there's all kinds of discussions about Bermuda being out of the way or too costly," he told the media at the Ministry of Sport's offices.

Known for his candour, Warner also complimented the BFA executive for "internationalising" Bermuda's football again, saying this augurs well.

"There was a time when Bermuda seemed to have become very insular in its football and its football development and politics. Over the last two or three years there seems to have been a deliberate policy where Bermuda's football has begun to internationalise itself once more. Things have changed.

"I hope this (management) team can remain in place for some time and develop the sport."

He also urged more local football officials to put their expertise at FIFA's and CONCACAF's disposal as BFA president Larry Mussenden and BFA general secretary David Sabir have done.

"Bermuda is a small country but these people are able to sit on committees based on their competence. It's not a question of patronage," said the FIFA deputy.