the Pan-Am Games in Argentina next month.

It marks the most prestigious international appointment bestowed on the 42-year-old official by soccer's world governing body, with whom Curtis has had ties since 1987.

Only three weeks ago Curtis was included in a four-member Bermuda team named by FIFA to officiate in games and competitions sanctioned by FIFA in the CONCACAF region.

Curtis, the only local referee chosen for the trip to Argentina, is ecstatic about his appointment.

"It's by far the biggest assignment of my refereeing career, definitely the biggest of the lot,''' he said this week.

"I am elated to have been picked. My goal this year was to be awarded a role in an Olympic qualifying match somewhere, but this beats even that. My family has supported me the whole way and I am very appreciative.'' Although first appointed to FIFA matches eight year ago, Curtis did not make the "FIFA list'' until 1989 when he became a fully-fledged badge holder.

He still has memories, although not pleasant, of his international debut as a FIFA badge holder referee in 1990 when he was in the middle for the Caribbean Cup final in Trinidad and Tobago.

He recalls a coup in the country ended the game prematurely and forced him to stay for three weeks as planes were restricted from using the airport.

A year later he acted as linesman with Roddy Burchall in an Olympic game in Haiti which was refereed by Rex Osborne. The same year he went to Mexico on a one week referees' course run by CONCACAF.

In 1992 Curtis, Burchall and Osborne teamed up to officiate another Olympic game in Indiana, and he followed this by running the line in the American Airlines Cup in Dallas, Texas.

His last international assignment was in 1993 when he was a referee at the CONCACAF Women's Championships in New York.

Bermuda Referees' Association president Gregory Grimes and Director of Referees Aldwyn Savery yesterday both expressed their hope that the appointment would be the first of many for local referees at international level.

"That is good news that bodes well for Bermuda,'' said Grimes. "I only hope that it's just the start of more appointments to come in the CONCACAF area for our members.

"I have always maintained that our members do a wonderful job and hopefully it will show when Curtis gets to Argentina.'' Savery said he hoped the assignment might encourage others to join their ranks.

"It's great news. We've been longing to get somebody recognised like this since Rex (Osborne) came off the list. The Pan-Am Games is a well known and established competition and if he does well, there is a good chance that Bermuda referees will get further international appointments,'' said Savery.

"Curtis has earned this because he has worked hard to keep in shape and to improve himself. We have had so much negative stuff take place in soccer this season and this positive news is a welcome change.'' ESTEN CURTIS -- `it's by far the biggest assignment of my refereeing career.'