The Island's first Drug Free Sports Policy will be up and running in less than a year, the Ministry of Youth Development, Sport and Recreation revealed.

And, Ministry director Anthony Roberts said, the continued failure of sports groups to become involved won't delay its implementation.

Roberts was responding to revelations that 16 of the 29 Bermuda sports clubs and eight of the 35 national sports governing bodies have yet to endorse a two-and-a-half-month-old Mission Statement. With a key Drug Free Sports conference ten days away, they appear likely to be shut out of any input in the policy's development.

"This is the country's decision,'' said Roberts. "It involves everyone, whether they're on board or not. There is no escape from it.'' The Ministry have been working with the Canadian Centre of Ethics in Sports for about a year and Roberts said some parts of the policy could be in place by this fall. "Preliminary work has already been done,'' he said.

"We've reached the stage where the policy is about to be set.'' The policy will use education, research, drug testing and intervention in an unprecedented clean-up of local sports. Particulars of the policy are expected to be filled in at the April 11-12 conference.

Officials were hoping to have the unanimous support of national bodies and sports clubs, addressing their specific needs in the policy and sending a strong message to athletes and fans. The last "olive branch'' came in a meeting all clubs and sports were invited to attend last week at the Ministry offices.

Previously, the Ministry says, it had held two other meetings, sent forms in the mail and followed up with phone calls, Roberts said. Several items have also been carried in the media.

But as of Monday, national sports governing bodies such as the Bermuda Volleyball Association, Bermuda Bodybuilding Association and Bermuda Amateur Boxing Association had yet to pledge their support.

Roberts admitted he was concerned about malcontent sports clubs, including Vasco DaGama, Southampton Rangers, Devonshire Recreation Club and St. George's Cricket Club.

Asked if further attempts would be made to include them, Roberts said: "The Ministry is satisfied that we've done as much as we should,'' although they will continue to receive correspondence.

Lack of support could also force sports groups to answer potentially awkward questions from a) parents seeking a place for their children to participate, and b) athletes with certain clubs wondering why the policy inconveniences them more than others, Roberts said.

While national bodies such as luge and waterskiing are loosely-run, one-man organisations, Roberts was mystified as to why others had failed to get involved.

Bermuda Powerboat Association is one group that have not endorsed the project but new commodore Paul Rodrigues told The Royal Gazette his sport remained firmly in the corner of drug testing. He said communication problems -- such as a change in executive and mail delays -- prevented the club from signing a pledge.

Bermuda Volleyball Association co-president Juanita Blee said yesterday the club attended the previous meeting and would attend the next -- but was not aware of any Mission Statements.

"We've literally gotten nothing,'' she said. Officials from snooker, bodybuilding, boxing and canoeing could not be reached.

Next week's conference is also expected to unveil plans for a separate sitting body to analyse drug test results and mete out sanctions where necessary. In addition, the ability to test for performance-enhancing drugs locally is not far off, Roberts said.

He said the Island is "being closely watched by other countries'' anxious to formulate policies of their own.

ABSENTEES Groups who have yet to sign a Mission Statement pledging support for a Government Drug Free Sports Policy: SPORTS CLUBS Vasco DaGama, Southampton Rangers, Western Stars, Pembroke Hamilton Club, Devonshire Recreation Club, St.George's Cricket Club, Young Men's Social Club, Somerset Bridge, Bermuda Athletic Association, Hamilton Parish Workmen's Club, Bailey's Bay Cricket Club, East End Mini-Yacht Club, Mid-Atlantic Yacht Club, Warwick Workmen's Club, Spanish Point Boat Club, West End Sailing Club.

NATIONAL GOVERNING BODIES Bermuda Canoe Association, Bermuda Powerboat Association, Bermuda Amateur Boxing Association, Bermuda Volleyball Association, Bermuda Bodybuilding Association, Bermuda Luge Association, Bermuda Snooker Association, Bermuda Waterskiing Association.

SPORTS SP GOVERNMENT GVT