Veteran karate exponent Skipper Ingham has lashed out at Government for failing to fulfil a promise earlier this year which requires all schools and clubs to pay affiliation dues to the Martial Arts Association.

The initiative was aimed at promoting drug free sport.

In a letter to The Royal Gazette, Ingham complained that Government had not followed up on their own directive.

"Earlier this year Government, in a misguided effort to ensure that sport is drug- free, forced all schools and clubs to pay affiliation dues to the Government recognised Martial Arts Association," said Ingham.

"Six months later no receipts have been issued and no AGM has been held to obtain a truly representative executive.

"Request for redress to the department formerly responsible for sport have been completely ignored."

"This is taxation without representation or perhaps highway robbery would be a better description," added Ingham, who is well known around the world as a karate expert.

The letter was copied to Premier Paula Cox, National Security Minister David Burch, Youth and Families Minister Glenn Blakeney, Health Minister Zane DeSilva and PLP MP Ashfield Devent.

The founder of the Bermuda Karate Institute also noted in his letter that Government had neglected both karate and boxing.

Bemoaning the fact that a Sports Ministry no longer existed following last week's Cabinet shake-up, he lambasted Government for another broken promise – to set up a boxing gymnasium.

"Years ago a boxing gym was promised by the Government, but it never materialised. There was a great opportunity lost when Clarence Hill won his Olympic medal in the '70s.

"Troy Darrell, who fought top amateurs and professionals in New York, could also have contributed to a programme, with coach Alan (Forty) Rego.

"That may be ancient history, but it has set the stage for now.

"There is an amateur boxing association in Bermuda, but no amateur boxing and Government leadership has been notably absent."

Ingham, who still competes overseas, rued the fact that gun violence is now so prevalent, it was no longer a major concern.

"When we had the first instances of gun violence in Bermuda, each one produced some kind of march or protest," he said.

"Now that these are weekly occurrences, no one bothers to march anymore – in any case the protests produced no result.

""I would like to see some real leadership from out newly formed Government, even combining the efforts of all of the Ministries involved to help our youth in the area of martial arts and boxing."