Bermuda is set to celebrate its first National Sportsmanship Day.

Announcing plans for the November 20 occasion, Sports Minister Dale Butler yesterday said he hoped it ?promotes students? appreciation of the critical role of ethics, honesty, peaceful conflict resolution and fair play in athletics and society through education and sport?.

He noted a number of challenges were facing sports and sporting administrators in Bermuda including the infestation of drugs, a breakdown in behavioural codes, disrespect for officials, fan unruliness and unwanted sledging.

?This landscape I?ve just described has become far too familiar for our community and I believe we as a community should do all we can to promote and develop those behaviours which emulate trustworthiness, fairness, responsibility, respect, caring, i.e ?good sportsmanship? on our fields and (in our) arenas.

?Changing behaviour involves education and to this end, our National Sportsmanship Day initiative will see the National Drug Commission and Ministry of Education join forces with the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation to help us achieve and promote the kind of behaviour that we can be proud to see both on and off our sports fields,? Butler told a Press conference at the Cabinet Office.

To celebrate the landmark, schoolchildren from all four levels ? lower primary, upper primary, middle school and secondary ? were invited to submit essays regarding the principles of sportsmanship while schools were asked to develop a slogan on sportsmanship.

In their writing, students had to describe four elements and examples of sportsmanship as well as select a Bermudian athlete who best personifies their slogan and essay.

Essay winners in each category will receive a think-pad computer and their schools will receive monetary awards valued at $1,000 (first), $750 (second), $300 (third) and $100 (fourth). Second, third and fourth-place winners will receive awards of $500, 300 and $100 respectively.

Additionally, the school producing the best slogan will receive $1,000 in services and supplies.

On November 20, prize winners will be rewarded at a ceremony at City Hall where Premier Alex Scott will read a proclamation commemorating the event. Winning essays will be read.

Prior to this, representatives from all participating schools will assemble at the Cabinet Office grounds and march to City Hall accompanied by five of the Island?s leading sports celebrities: Clyde Best, Clarence (Nicky) Saunders, Paula Lewin, Carol Bean and Wendell Smith.