Minister of Sports Randy Horton has been accused of setting a bad example for Bermudian youth during the recent Cup Match.

Stating that he and others were "appalled by the lack of discipline and unbiasness demonstrated by Horton during Cup Match commentary", Shadow Minister of Sports Cole Simons urged Horton - a former Somerset Cup Match captain - to remember that when commentating he is not "a cricket adjudicator" and must respect umpiring decisions.

"To have the Minister of Youth and Sports publicly question the decision of the umpire ought not and should not be tolerated . . . He must not let his commentary be influenced by past associations. Horton's ill-disciplined behaviour is unacceptable and must cease," wrote Simons in a letter to the editor (see Page 26).

Simons termed Horton's behaviour "particularly deplorable when one considers that he is Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Affairs and, as such, sets an example for our young people to follow".

"This issue is very important as Bermuda sports, for a long time, has been challenged by a lack of discipline, bad behaviour and sometimes violence. The Minister must be disciplined and supportive of decisions made by our sporting officials and umpires who are doing their best to develop our young people through sports.

"Our leaders and people in positions of responsibility must always be cognisant of the influence they have; particularly those who have also played sports in the past and who intimately know the principles on which the sports are established and played. They must be far more disciplined especially when it involves community activities."