six-year period from the Bank of Bermuda.

The injection of funds is probably the most significant amount that local soccer has ever received from an individual sponsor and is another sign that faith in the Bermuda Football Association has been restored by the business sector.

The boost comes at a convenient time. The BFA should now be able to organise the upcoming Youth International Soccer Tournament, scheduled for July 14-18, without the headaches of a year ago, when they feverishly sought $75,000 from the corporate sector to host the event.

BFA president Neville Tyrrell, fund-raising committee member Jon Beard, newly-appointed technical director Clyde Best, and bank officials were present when the bank's president and chief executive officer, Henry Smith, yesterday revealed their commitment at the bank's main Front Street offices.

"It's amazing,'' said Tyrrell. "The Bank is the main establishment in Bermuda (and) I think that if they are supporting something it must show all of Bermuda that what they are supporting is a good product.'' "That's exactly what I believe we have. We have a good product in football, I just think we need to continue to administrate properly ... and we are just going to go to further heights.'' Smith confirmed that the bank was satisfied with the way in which the BFA had been reorganised and noted that they were pleased to continue being one of the major sponsors of soccer on the Island.

"The people who are running the show now are very committed and I think they are doing a wonderful job and they are getting a lot of support from the public. The Bank of Bermuda is one major sponsor and there are others out there that have come to the wicket. There are some good young soccer players in the BFA's programme and we are very positive about the future,'' said Smith.

"We have never had any doubt about the talent, in fact we never had any doubt about the commitment of football, both among the youth and among the BFA.'' The concern, he said, was drugs. The Miami Seven episode of nearly three years ago caused a drop-off in corporate funding and Smith said the bank was uneasy about lending financial support until the BFA had corrected their ways.

The bank's top executive admitted that the BFA had been through a "rough time'' in the past couple of years but said they have "dealt with it right up front.'' "(The BFA) are very sincere about combatting drugs in sport and we are delighted to be back in there behind them and supporting their efforts.'' He said the time was right to assist the BFA, particularly with their youth development programme, which is specifically aimed at developing the under-15 national squad for the 1999 Junior World Cup.

The bank was able to contribute such a large sum because money set aside for the youth programme was not used during the period when sponsorship had slowed down during the reorganisation period.

"This is perhaps the major support target that we have ... youth and football,'' said Smith.

The $200,000 from the bank comes on the heels of a $100,000 donation by Centre Re.

"We are very confident other sponsors will follow,'' said Tyrrell. "Centre Re have shown such great interest, the Bank of Bermuda has always been with us and I see no reason why others will not.''