A merry-go-round of Government money in the sporting world has been criticised by Shadow Sports Minister Jon Brunson.

Ordinary Bermudians will need to pay a $200 subscription if they want to watch TV pictures of the national cricket team in their ICC Cricket World Cup debut this March and April.

Ten Government Ministries have each given $12,000 sponsorship to Government MP Glenn Blakeney's Inter-Island Communications company, which runs radio station Hott 107.5, after it secured exclusive rights to broadcast pictures to Bermuda.

That announcement came only a month after Government said it was ending its annual $50,000 backing of the XL Bermuda Open, which it has provided since the tennis championships started in 1993.

As was reported in the Royal Gazette last month, Mr. Brunson believes the ICC World Cup should be broadcast free for Bermudians to watch as he says they have already paid through their own taxes for the sport to receive a $11 million boost from Government.

But anyone wishing to watch the cricket matches on TV will need to take out a $200 subscription to CableVision, which has struck a deal with Inter-Island Communications.

"How much did it cost to acquire the TV rights?" Mr. Brunson asked. "Is Hott going to pay Government its money back if it makes a profit? Are Bermudians expected to pay to watch their own team in the ICC World Cup after Government has already given the sport $11m?

"No-one has been forthcoming with these answers."

When the Royal Gazette spoke with Mr. Blakeney, who is president of Inter-Island Communications, he said the amount paid for the TV rights was a confidential matter but was more than $40,000 and pointed out rival ZBM had tried to secure a $75,000 helping-hand from Government to get the rights.

Mr. Brunson said: "The seniors who are cricket fans deserve to be able to watch the ICC World Cup without having to worry about how to pay for it. I say the people have already paid for it and now they deserve to be able to see it."

He is calling for transparency on how the Government sponsorship deal has been made.

"If you listen to the public sentiment on talk shows, at sportsmens' clubs and on the street the overwhelming response, irrespective of what party people belong to, is that what has happened with the ICC Cup is wrong," said the UBP MP.

"People believe that charging is the wrong thing to do. Government says it listens to the people, well they have to prove it. At the moment it looks like this is all about money and nothing to do with national pride, national sport or the people of Bermuda."

And Mr. Brunson said the withdrawal of Government's annual $50,000 sponsorship for the XL Bermuda Open is "a crying shame."

He said the event not only served Bermuda because young players could get up close with some of the best talent in the world, it also showcased Bermuda around the world.

The Department of Tourism will continue to be a sponsor, but on a much lower level than the previous 13 years when $50,000 has been added to the cost of the tournament, which has a budget around $900,000.

"It has proven to be a great opportunity for inspiring tennis players and giving them exposure to top class players.

"These top players have held tennis clinics and worked with our school kids and juniors. It is an even shown on ESPN International and other TV channels. To me it seems a shame that Government has withdrawn support. What is Government's strategy towards sport? The Premier has spoken about the importance of sport and what it gives to our young people.

"We should be encouraging the hosting of these things. They bring athletes and tourism — between 800 and 1,000 room nights each year — and taxi bookings," aid Mr. Brunson.

"What is happening here is short-sighted." The Royal Gazette was awaiting a reply from Sports Minister Randy Horton at press time.