A new international carding system to replace the old outstanding sports persons' grant scheme, was introduced yesterday by the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr James McDaid TD.

A fund of more than £1m, claimed to be double the amount available for direct funding to athletes last year, will beef up the scheme which initially, is expected to benefit some 150 individuals.

Players or athletes will qualify for cards under four different categories, junior, developmental, international and world class and grants will range from £1,200 for a junior athlete to £24,000 for those at the top of the world class category. This latter grade is divided into four sub-sections with the appropriate aid varying between £12,000 and £24,000.

In addition to providing financial support for those in need of assistance to meet training and competition costs, not otherwise covered by the appropriate national governing bodies, the new structure will provide for a whole range of supports from physiology to nutrition to counselling.

The scheme, which has been developed by the Irish Sports Council under the chairmanship of John Treacy, and the National Coaching and Training Centre in Limerick, will be underpinned by a drugs-free philosophy and beneficiaries will be required to furnish undertakings that they will subscribe to non-urine anti-doping techniques as set down by the relevant international federations.

The award of cards, which will be valid for two years, are subject to annual review. Their allocation will be based on performances over the previous two-year period and for the purpose of 1998 grant aid, the period in question is from April 1996 to April 1998.

Stating that the achievements of our leading sports people had raised the profile of the country in recent years, Dr McDaid said that it was important that structures were put in place to facilitate medium and long-term planning.

An important difference between this and the old scheme, he stressed, was that grant aid would now be based on strict performance criteria and rankings related to each sport. "Publication of the criteria and terms of operation of the carding system, represents a major advance on the previous system and ensures the maximum degree of transparency, objectivity and accountability," he said.

Women will take part for the first time in an international track and field competition in the Gulf state of Qatar today but skimpy shorts and bikini tops have been banned by organisers.

"There will be no bare midriffs, bra pieces or bikini briefs," said John Nohani, co-ordinator for the Qatar International meeting in Doha.

Female athletes have been asked to wear T-shirts and track suits for their events at the Khalifa International Stadium. The dress code is a compromise designed to satisfy Qatar's Muslim conservatives and the athletic world's governing body.

The very participation of women in such a meeting is a breakthrough for this conservative region.