Bermuda's cricketing future remains a bright one, but there is much work to be done if the Island is to regain its status as a legitimate force in the game.

So said El James, who was re-elected to the post of president of the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control on Tuesday night, who added that both the country and the region were on a positive track, but needed to continue with an all-out commitment to improving.

"We have some things to do that we haven't completed yet,'' said James, now in his fourth term as chief. "We've seen the America's Region, now we're about to see the America's Association formed.

"We see winners of the regional tournament within this region representing the region in some of the major competitions around the world, so things are definitely progressing ... we are definitely on the rise.

"What I would like to see here (in Bermuda) is for cricket to have its own training facilities, its own office. I came in with some goals ... I still have those left, and not until all of the goals that I set initially are completed will I be satisfied.'' Having access to such purpose-built facilities James intimated would greatly enhance Bermuda's chances of competing well on the international front, while also serving to aid in improvements at domestic level through the use of advanced training methods.

Reminded of the fact that Bermuda had fallen greatly from the ranks of a feared, if not revered, force among the ICC associate membership to no more than an `also ran', James bristled at the assertion.

"Our goal is to qualify for the World Cup ... our goal is to become number one among the associate countries,'' he said resolutely. "I don't like to dwell on what teams of the past have done, we have to deal with the present, and those players that we have and the teams that we are presently playing against. I can look at teams of the West Indies in the past and compare, but that is not what we are about now.

"We know the competition that we have in the ICC tournament, we're preparing to take them on, and, right now, we think we're in a position to put in a serious bid, when we go up there (Toronto) in June, to staking a claim to represent the associates at the World Cup in South Africa.'' Furthermore, James highlighted how Bermuda this year holds, not one, but two shots at earning positions in premier tournaments involving all of the powers of world cricket.

"I see us having two cracks at qualifying for representation at the World Cup,'' he said. "Our under-19s will be vying for representation in the Under-19 World Cup, while our senior team will be participating for representation in the senior World Cup, and I would like to see them both qualify and that's what we're aiming for right now.'' Such targets hope to be achieved through the workings of an executive having welcomed two new faces aboard and featuring the upward movement of another returning member.

Former second vice-president Reginald Pearman has assumed the position as James' `right-hand man' in taking over the first vice-presidency from Randy Horton, with Devonshire Recreation Club president Ellsworth Christopher moving into the role of second vice-president.

Continued on page 15 James optimistic for cricket Continued from page 13 Hoyt Zuill, a club representative over the previous term, has become assistant secretary, while Charlotte (Molly) Simons and Neil Speight each returned as secretary and treasurer respectively.

Asked what the selection of this management team meant for the immediate future of the sport, James was candid, almost brash in that which he saw taking place.

"It means that cricket will continue to strive ahead in leaps and bounds,'' said James, largely responsible for bringing a debt-ridden organisation into the `black' since taking over from Ed Bailey in 1997.

"Mr. Christopher brings a wealth of experience. He's a retired man, a former school teacher, who has lots of time, so we welcome his presence, his input, and we welcome the time that he'll be able to put into whatever responsibilities he takes on.

"Hoyt Zuill is another one that was a part of the board last year as a player rep. He really got involved, so he'll just continue his involvement, but in a different capacity.

"As for Reggie Pearman, again, he's like Mr. Christopher in that he's been there, has a wealth of experience, and individuals like him we rely on to help guide us through the finer points ... it's always good to have people like him on the board.'' El James: fourth term as president