AS the World Cup grabs the attention of local cricket fans, Bermuda’s other national sport is laying out plans to take football forward to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The Bermuda Football Association, recent recipients of a generous $15 million backing from Government, confirmed this week that they have entered three teams in the Dallas Cup next month and had also filed their registration to compete in the World Cup qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The preliminary draw for that competition will take place in Durban, South Africa on November 23, after which qualifying matches will begin — the dates being in accordance with the international match calendar commencing February 6, 2008 and going through to October 14, 2009.

“FIFA’s Executive Committee reserves the right to provide exceptions which would require match dates to take place prior to the preliminary draw or at times other than the international match calendar dates,” the BFA said in a press release.

“FIFA has also taken the decision that there will be no participation fees for the member associations that participate in the preliminary competition of the 2010 FIFA. We are aware that the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa is historical in the sense that this will be the first time that the World Cup is being held on the continent of Africa.”

Building a programme that will enable the national teams to be competitive in overseas competitions is also part of BFA’s plan and with that in mind the association will be sending three youth teams to the 28th Dallas Cup in Texas from April 1-8.

To send the Under-13, Under-14 and Under-15 national youth teams — some 66 players and officials in all — to the week-long tournament will cost the BFA some $137,000 in air fares, accommodations and meals. The teams will be the same teams that competed in the recent Clyde Best Invitational Tournament here. It marks the first time that Bermuda national teams have entered the tournament, with PHC previously sending teams.

The local teams will compete in the Under-14, Under-15 and Under-16 age groups in the tournament, leaving here on March 30 and returning on April 9.

“Planning for participation in this tournament spans some two-plus years which culminated with the decision to enter this year on the basis of the financial support from the Bermuda Government as it relates to the launch of the BFA’s Strategic Plan initiative,” said the association in a statement.

“It has been stated many years and on a variety of topics relating to our youth that we can compete at this age in any area of our development. It has also been stated that we must find opportunities for our youth to show their talents.

“Whilst we believe this to be true we also accept that we must create a starting point and work systematically to achieve the end result. This tournament provides another step toward this objective. We aim to broaden our players’ horizons so that they may realise the opportunities available to them beyond Bermuda’s shores.”

Mark Trott, chairman of the technical committee, will serve as head of the delegation along with Lloyd Smith. Dennis Brown, Troy Lewis and Winston Trott will coach the Under-14s, Mark Wade and Ray Jones the Under-15s and Troy Harvey and Maurice Lowe the Under-16 team. The managers of the three teams will be Carmen Harvey, Tanya Smith and Roger Lee.

“We feel very honoured and excited about the fact that we will have these three youth teams competing in what is one of the best (youth) tournaments in the world,” said BFA president Larry Mussenden.

The tournament attracts teams from various countries in Europe and South America.

“Real Madrid will be sending their Under-19 team, Chelsea will be sending their Under-19 team and Sao Paulo from Brazil,” Trott revealed.

With four teams in each group, the Bermuda teams will play a minimum of three group matches in the tournament.

[bul] The league issues now decided, attention in the last month of the domestic football season will switch to the remaining cup competitions, with four FA Cup matches held on Sunday to determine the semi-finals.

Cup holders North Village, PHC and Somerset are all seeking to become the first team to win 10 FA Cup titles. Village have what could be described as the easier of the three ties as they entertain First Division side St. George’s Colts at Bernard Park.

This cup represents Village’s last chance to retain one of their three trophies from last season after Devonshire Cougars dethroned them as league champions. Village should advance to the last four with victory over the east enders, though Village will need to bounce back quickly from last weekend’s shocking 3-0 loss to Cougars in the title decider. St. George’s will be confident of pushing Village to the limit, having beaten another Premier Division side, Paget, in the last round.

One First Division side is certain to be in the last four as Prospect and Devonshire Colts have been drawn against each other at Police Field. Colts hammered Prospect 8-1 in a league match in midweek to clinch the First Division championship on goal difference over Ireland Rangers, but Sunday’s clash should be much closer. Prospect reached the final in 2003 when they lost to Village 5-1.

Sunday’s two other matches should be closer and could go either way. Boulevard will be aiming to salvage something from a disappointing second half of the season when they entertain the Zebras at BAA Field while new league champions Devonshire Cougars make the long journey to the west to meet unpredictable Somerset Trojans. Matches start at 2.30.

Two women’s makeup matches are also scheduled for Sunday. St. George’s will meet Prospect at Police Field and Somerset Hurricanes will take on Lady rams at Somerset, both matches beginning at 12.30.