CARIFTA Games 2004 is assured of the Bermuda Government's full backing.

Sports Minister Dale Butler yesterday said he had “ironed out all of the kinks” regarding the Bermuda Track and Field Association's (BTFA) concerns about hosting the annual Easter weekend showpiece featuring regional athletes.

“We've had very good talks with the BTFA. They were concerned they were not getting as good a response as they wanted. So I have ironed out all the things - financial, accommodations and things to do with the National Sports Centre.

“All those things have been sorted out and things look very promising.”

Elaborating on the national athletics governing body's perspective, he explained that “they were not sure how much money Government was prepared to back the Games with” but that now “they have a commitment from Government in that regard”.

The minister added that the BTFA were hoping to raise a certain amount (of money) and Government “will be making up part of the difference”.

“They are busy fundraising and we're hoping to match whatever they get in order to ensure there's a zero balance at the end of the day,” said Butler, noting that hosting the Games would cost an estimated $500,000.

In addition to Government's assistance, the BTFA is seeking corporate sponsorship to defray expenses and, the minister disclosed, have been “making presentations to various businesses trying to secure additional support and . . . are making good progress”.

Such backing, he stressed, would “most definitely” be integral.

One of the biggest cost factors will be accommodating hundreds - and possibly thousands - of competitors and officials from across the Caribbean who will stay at the Hamilton Princess Hotel. Butler said the decision to house the visitors at this location was taken given the unsuitability of Warwick Camp and the fact that other host nations usually put up CARIFTA delegations at “some very good hotels in the West Indies”.

Despite “a lot of rumours” the minister expressed Government's confidence that BTFA personnel possess the skills to undertake this technical assignment.

“They are doing an excellent job. They just gave me their first report and they are working exceedingly hard. They have contacted the IAAF (International Association of Athletic Federation), CAC (Central American & Caribbean) (association) and all their affiliates and making sure they have every ‘i' dotted and every ‘t' crossed.

“They have assured me that Bermuda will have a large contingent of athletes who have already started their training programme. They are working on getting volunteers. Their transportation plan, their immigration plan, the opening ceremony - they are working on all these things.”

Butler said his ministry had provided the BTFA with an accountant to ensure “everything is done financially correct” and also have Philip Guishard representing the ministry on the CARIFTA committee.

“I think we can handle it but it's just an overbearing financial responsibility so we're going to have to move very cautiously, especially after (Hurricane) Fabian,” he said, adding that the National Sports Centre was being readied to stage the meet.

However, Butler declared that following CARIFTA he does not “foresee us holding anything else until we've finished the stadium itself”.

This comes on the heels of a recent announcement from the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) that the Island is set to host the six-nation Americas Cup (a World Cup qualifier) next July. Yet the minister says he knows nothing of this.

“No, we have not received anything from them (BCB). They have not been to see me so we won't know what their expectations are.

“Until they come in with their ducks in a row the Government (and) not just my ministry - because there are financial implications - can't make a decision. We haven't seen them and we don't go chasing people.”