Bowls on warpath

BOWLS Guernsey and their chief executive, Garry Collins, have gone onto the attack over the method of selection for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Collins, who saw his sport's recommendation of 12 bowlers result in just five being selected, wants answers on a number of questions.

They include how swimming made a successful appeal when there is no appeals process.

In a letter to the Guernsey Commonwealth Games Association made available to the media, bowls complains that the decision to ratify the U-turn on the swimmers should not have been made by the email system and should have been tackled at a meeting of delegates as the GCGA constitution demands.

Bowls also wants discussion on the possible conflicts of interest within the selection committee while Collins says that the bowls team have been hit hard by the original decision.

'Problems need to be resolved if the team is to go away in a happy frame of mind,' said Collins, who is also considering his own position as team manager.

'The whole procedure is a bit of a mess.

Bowls Guernsey abstained on the member sports' vote to ratify the additional two swimmers and are adamant that that all sports should have control as to who goes to the Games, even if that means sport raising additional sponsorship.

The body also feels there is a clear conflict of interest within the selectors.

'The rules are quite clear that the selection committee is impartial.

Bowls want all their concerns aired at the next GCGA meeting in January or earlier if one third of member sports agree to call a general meeting ahead of the association's next get together.

Peter Sirett, chairman of the GCWGA, declined to comment until after the executive council had met.