Dodging the proverbial legal bullet, several sports' governing bodies this year incorporated their organisations to protect themselves from civil prosecution.

Youth, Sport and Recreation Minister Dennis Lister announced this action as one of several highlights during the past year for his Ministry during last night's Budget debate.

The incorporation of the national governing bodies cost each organisation $279, said Mr. Lister.

"This Ministry consulted with the offices of the Registrar of Companies and the Bermuda Monetary Authority on the steps required to submit applications for incorporation, so as to avoid significant legal expenses to the governing bodies,'' he noted.

This was one of seven principle objectives identified as priorities by the Ministry, he continued.

The others were the continued development of the National Sports Centre, restructuring the Ministry, introducing an Alternative Dispute Resolution Programme, introducing a Sports Management programme for sports administrators, identifying the essential elements of a Sports Hall of Fame and reviewing the elite Athletes Assistance Programme.

"Today more than 70 percent of these objectives have been met while the remaining ones are well on the way and in the final stages of completion,'' said Mr. Lister.

He pointed to the progress at the National Sports Centre Grandstand as a highlight for his Ministry.

In August of last year, construction began on the covered grandstand on the southern field.

"The facility will provide covered seats for approximately 2,000 spectators, changing rooms, showers, concessions, etc.,'' he said.

The project is due for completion by December of this year -- the northern fields are scheduled for completion by this summer, June, 2001, and the field's pavilion is scheduled to open in October, 2001.

The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programme is slated to be in operation by April 1 this year after the governing bodies met with the Ministry in January 2001 and voted to adopt the ADR Council that will regulate the arbitration of disputes as an independent panel.

And sports administration received an educational boost with the launching of a Sports Management Certificate Programme in September, 2001, at the Bermuda College.

The course is intended to subsequently develop into a full diploma programme.

Shadow Minister Patricia Pamplin-Gordon applauded the fact that the President of the inactive Bermuda Softball Association had joined the Drug-Free Sport Council.

"It's only a matter of time now before we'll have them back onto the playing field,'' noted Mr. Lister.

In closing, Mr. Lister added: "We are committed to enhancing the relationship between the Ministry and sport in Bermuda.''