NOBODY likes criticism, least of all it would seem Bermuda Track and Field Association who came out all guns blazing this week in defence of their selection policy for next year's CARIFTA Games.

Coaches Mike Watson, Gerry Swan, even the highly likeable, hard-working Cal Simons have attempted to justify the governing body's rather warped policy.

Yet everything written in this column last week stands.

No matter which way you present them, the demands put upon the Island's aspiring CARIFTA athletes are unfair, even, it could be argued, discriminatory.

And how Government can continue to throw money at this ramshackle organisation, given the current controversy, beggars belief. Much of the Games' funding, estimated at $700,000, it should be remembered is being provided by you and I, the taxpayer.

The burning questions which those in the BTFA have still refused to answer amidst all of their ramblings in the last week remain: Why is there a need for all youngsters wanting to compete in CARIFTA to join the national programme under coach Swan; and why can't trials be held a month before the Games to determine the best team, regardless of who coaches the athletes?

With Bermuda hosting the event, trials would seem to be the only logical way to select a full complement of athletes for every event. Yet for some reason - totally inexplicable as far as most coaches are concerned - the governing body are continuing to demand that all those wanting to represent the country train under their terms, and begin as of Monday next week ? five months before the Games begin!

That ultimatum made no sense when it was announced, it makes no sense now.

As has been repeatedly pointed out, track and field is not a team sport, it's all about individuals. And if those individuals can perform best under their chosen coaches, they should be left to do so.

The only thing that matters is whether Bermuda fields its strongest team when the Games roll around next April.

And the only way to determine that is to organise trials for all athletes, regardless of their affiliation.

Just why the BTFA can't grasp that argument is difficult to understand.

Trials were held last weekend and will continue this weekend to determine who will run in the Front Street Mile next month. The Mile is part and parcel of 'International' Race Weekend - what's the difference between that and CARIFTA?

Coach Simons, in defence of the governing body, noted this week that the only way his athletes at the Pacers club could be taken to the next level was by joining a national programme in which, he believed, the coaches were best qualified.

Yet, unfortunately when we look at the BTFA's record over the last several years, that argument is difficult to comprehend.

Such have been results on the international stage, if Swan were a football coach he would have been out of a job years ago.

Take away the performances of the recently retired triple jumper Brian Wellman, who trained under his own programme in Arkansas, and there's been little to shout about at either junior or senior level.

Track and field in Bermuda has continued on a steady, unrelenting decline.

There's no evidence to suggest that any of our athletes competing in the national programme have been taken to the so-called 'next level'. If anything, they might have even dropped a level!

THERE can have been few international football matches in living memory which Bermuda have gone into with nothing to gain and everything to lose.

Yet unfortunately that's the bizarre situation Kenny Thompson's team will find themselves in early next year when Bermuda take on Montserrat in the first qualifying round of the World Cup.

Bermuda have plummeted down the FIFA world rankings in recent years, but their standing is nothing like that of their Caribbean rivals who now find themselves rank, rock bottom at number 204.

With only 204 countries affiliated with FIFA, they can drop no lower.

On paper, last Friday's World Cup draw couldn't have been better for Bermuda.

As suggested in a headline in the next day's , we drew 'the worst team in the world.'

But did we? Montserrat may be propping up the FIFA rankings, but much like Bermuda they play so few international games it's difficult to gauge their true standard.

Coach Thompson was absolutely right in his declaration that while the draw might have appeared kind, there'll be no room for complacency among his squad.

According to at least one source, Montserrat have a number of England-based players who they will attempt to recruit for the World Cup fixture.

And they could provide much tougher opposition than their ranking would suggest.

Bermuda need to prepare for this match as they would any other international, perhaps even harder.

We're expected to win. And for the sake of our international reputation, we simply can't afford to lose.