Shadow Sports Minister Nelson Bascome has promised a PLP Government would crack down on youth violence by introducing registered training programmes for young athletes.

And Mr. Bascome accused Government of "electioneering'' after they unveiled a series of initiatives to combat youth crime.

Youth and Sports Minister Tim Smith revealed the $750,000 blueprint last week.

He announced: A new Somerset community centre in historic Springfield House and special Fathering for Fathers workshops.

Funding grants to cover sports clubs' insurance costs and extra Government money to train sports officials.

A National Youth Community Service Award Scheme and a youth activities month.

But Mr. Bascome said many of the ideas had been tried by non-Government agencies -- without Government help.

And he said too many ministers had passed through the Youth and Sports portfolio without backing up their words with hard cash.

He added: "These are thinly veiled electioneering attempts because we have got a General Election in the air.

"Some of these initiatives have already been suggested but the Government hasn't helped.

"The Progressive Labour Party would take youth and sport in a whole new direction and develop our young people from a recreation standpoint.

"We need to be progressive and look at the total development of individuals.

"Our young people need direction and we need to show them how to compete and that it takes a wholesome individual to take part and be a winner.'' He said the widespread development programme would encompass every major sport played on the Island.

Mr. Bascome added: "We have always criticised the number of ministers this ministry has had and there's been a real lack of consistency.

"Funding has also been poor and not helped develop our young people. By introducing registered training programmes in all sports, we will be able to do that.'' `Electioneering' "It's good to see that Tim Smith is putting some money into the ministry and I congratulate him for that.

"But the people of Somerset have been calling for a community centre for a long time and all they got was an empty building in Daniel's Head.

"Basically, Springfield will just move one community into another one.

"Somerset Cricket Club has facilities, Daniel's Head has facilities and so do the Sea Cadets in Dockyard.

"These aren't used enough and it's time they were.

"As for the Fathering for Fathers workshops, I helped form Single Parents in Action in 1991 and Government never gave us any help at all. We had to go to the private sector for funds.'' Mr. Smith revealed his proposals at Sandys Rotary Club after a fresh wave of youth crime prompted a crackdown by nightclubs and calls for a youth summit from the PLP and United Bermuda Party.

The Minister said: "This is a plan to tackle youth violence and the country's perception of young people.

"We are budgeting hundreds of thousands of dollars for these proposals and we want people to realise we are taking the problems seriously.''