Dear Sir,

Please allow me to express my outrage at what is taking place with respect to our national cricket team's preparations.

To say I was vexed when I read the story (in yesterday's Royal Gazette) entitled 'Pitch battle stumps Logie', written by Colin Thompson, would be an understatement. This latest fiasco is absurd.

The Minister has kept his promise to get the pitch online, the selectors have done their job in choosing a very good training squad, the coach wants to prepare the team properly for the internationals ahead and yet he cannot use the only available wicket at the NSC when he needs to.

That is ludicrous!

It is nearly June in Bermuda and our national cricket team are training indoors. That to use the Bermudian vernacular is 'absolute fullishness!'

I have said it before and I will say it again, the national cricket team must take priority when it comes to the use of that National Sports Centre north field, especially during the cricket season.

The fact that it doesn't, speaks volumes. Is it any wonder that so many of our best cricketers show little to no interest in representing their country?

I am therefore calling on the Minister of Sports, the Honourable Mr. Elvin James himself to look into the matter and resolve this issue once and for all as it threatens to jeopardise the future success of our national team.

RECMAN

Dear Sir,

I have been training for over 25 years in martial arts in Bermuda.

Up until about five years ago there were annual tournaments hosted by the Bermuda Martial Arts Federation for adult and junior competitors.

There has not been any activity in the martial arts scene in Bermuda other than the tournaments hosted by the Bermuda Karate Institute. My hat comes off to Sensei Ingham and Kristine.

Bermuda used to compete in international tournaments. Now we do nothing.

It seems to me that the executive committee of the Bermuda Martial Arts Federation should either get off their behinds and do something about martial arts in Bermuda or just close their doors. After all, they are not doing anything to promote martial arts in Bermuda.

What has happened to the Bermuda Martial Arts Federation? I know that a lot of work and dedication had been put into this organisation, and they finally obtained recognition from Government as the governing body of martial arts in Bermuda.

Surely the Government cannot recognise this organisation now.

I can remember when people like Senseis Al Wharton, Paget Wharton, Dwayne Williams, Mark Tailford and Carlton Saunders were at the helm of the Bermuda Martial Arts Federation, there were many tournaments and programmes held for the development of adults and children alike in martial arts. This should be happening now and continue in the future.

Seems to me the Bermuda Martial Arts Federation have an executive committee that want to have their glorious position and title, but are not prepared or qualified to back up their commitment to the martial arts organisations that are members of the Bermuda Martial Arts organisation. If you cannot come to the wicket, get out!

If the present executive committee are at the head of their own individual martial arts schools, I can only feel sorry for their members.

I would love to see the day when the older and traditional senseis would again hold the reins of the Bermuda Martial Arts Federation.

Until that day, I am sorry to say, there will not be a true governing body of martial arts in Bermuda.

Final word, leave the organisation to the people who know how to keep martial arts alive in Bermuda.

SAD MARTIAL ARTIST

Southampton