SHOULD we, shouldn?t we?

With another World Cup qualifying campaign just around the corner, the debate has already begun over whether we should recall Bermuda?s overseas soccer professionals.

Indoor pro David Bascome is reportedly desperate to be included in the national squad, yet hasn?t been invited; Shaun Goater on the other hand has virtually made it clear he has no intention of returning despite the fact that he would undoubtedly be welcomed with open arms.

Kyle Lightbourne, meanwhile, has hung up his boots, thus ruling himself out of the equation.

As was the case with the last World Cup qualifying matches, coach Kenny Thompson finds himself in something of a dilemma.

The reported reasoning behind Bascome?s exclusion is that he has, for the past 10 years or more, played all of his football indoors ? in a six-a-side league which doesn?t bear a great resemblance to the outdoor game.

The pro Bascome camp would, however, argue that it?s still soccer, the same skills are required as in an 11-a-side game and, if anything, because the action is non-stop in a confined area with every player continually involved, the fitness level has to be high.

Bascome, it should be pointed out, has always represented his country well when he has returned for international duty.

In the case of Goater, the case is far more clear cut.

It?s simply about desire.

Nobody could dispute his skills ? his phenomenal goalscoring record in the toughest league in the world speaks for itself ? and it?s difficult to see how he couldn?t be anything but an inspiration to those players around him, particularly the youngsters, if included in any Bermuda eleven.

Added to that, the presence of Goater in a Bermuda team would no doubt swell the local crowd by hundreds, perhaps thousands. Despite his enormous success overseas, his appearances on home soil have been few and far between.

Indeed, many of those playing in the junior leagues have likely never seen him play, except on TV.

Having recently been awarded an MBE for services to the community, children and soccer in general, Goater?s status as a Bermuda sporting icon has been further strengthened.

There are those who might argue that it?s his duty to represent his country whenever asked.

Yet on the flip side of the coin, some ? Thomson included perhaps ? might say that with Goater nearing the end of his career, it?s better he spend the last couple of years of his contract achieving what he can at club level. His return, they might argue, would only deny a place in the national side for one of many aspiring youngsters.

After all, Thomson has put a heavy accent on youth in his current crop of players. The vast majority are either in their teens or early 20s.

With the intention of using the upcoming World Cup matches as a stepping stone to international success in the future, Goater, it could be said, is surplus to requirements.

That?s not an argument this columnist buys.

Much like the row that is currently bubbling over team selection for the CARIFTA Games next April, the only issue of importance is whether Bermuda ultimately fields its strongest team.

If the BTFA have their way that won?t happen.

Hopefully, the BFA won?t make the same mistake.

If Bascome and Goater can strengthen the side, then every effort has to be made to facilitate their inclusion.

Bermuda play far too few international games of significance ? and they don?t come any more significant than the World Cup ? not to field their absolute best team when the opportunity arises.

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BERMUDA Track and Field Association held their annual general meeting on Wednesday night. According to our source, there were no minutes and no financial statement.

So what?s new?

On top of that, national coach Gerry Swan took the opportunity to discredit Tamika Williams, Xavier James and Ashley Couper ? three of the Island?s top track and field athletes who, by coincidence, refuse to train with Swan.

Need more be said.

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AS for that simmering BTFA CARIFTA Games row, the issues of which have been well documented in this column and through Sports Mailbox in recent weeks, there?s just one more question that needs to be asked.

Admitting that only a dozen or so athletes turned up for national squad training after the December 15 deadline expired this week, coach Swan said he expected those numbers ?to grow?.

Perhaps somebody could explain how athletes can be added to the squad after the deadline.

Either a deadline was set or it wasn?t.

Or is this just another case of BTFA rule bending?

As rival coach Renalda Swan pointed out this week, it?ll be interesting in meets leading up to CARIFTA what happens when those athletes who refused to join the national programme start beating those who are included.

Will the governing body still overlook our best athletes?

? ADRIAN ROBSON