An ongoing row between top local karate instructor Skipper Ingham and the Bermuda Martial Arts Society has flared again with the BMAS accused of undermining efforts by Ingham to send a kickboxing team abroad for competition.

In a press release, signed by Ingham's wife Kristina, it was asserted that BMAS were withholding funds on the basis of their "ignorance'' of the status held by the World Association of Kickboxing Organisations among the martial arts world.

"Bermuda's participation in the WAKO World Championships scheduled for October 3 to 10 in Stuttgart, Germany, has been cancelled due to lack of funds,'' said the release.

"WAKO Bermuda, the local affiliate of the world body, is headed by coach Skipper Ingham of the Bermuda Karate Institute, who indicated that fund raising efforts had been insufficient and the BMAS had refused to give any financial assistance because of their lack of knowledge and status of WAKO which is generally acknowledged as the premier world organisation for kickboxing.'' BMAS president Carlton Saunders could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The controversy between Ingham and the BMAS comes on the heels of a public feud regarding team selection for the Pan American Games, hosted by Argentina back in March of this year.

At the time Ingham was miffed over the failure of the BMAS to consult him in regard to final selection and the perceived snub of students at his school, Bermuda Karate Institute, of which Gladwin (Roots) Phillips was the only individual chosen.

Phillips, Ingham's prize pupil and reigning 66-kilogramme world champion, pulled out of the Games squad as a result, leaving a team of four to fly Bermuda's banner in Buenos Aires.

As a result of the latest setback Ingham's team will now concentrate their efforts on competing at the WKO (World Karate Organisation) World Championships in Hamilton, Ontario next May.

Current team members include Phillips, Kent Simmons and Dorian Tucker.

In addition, Simmons is due to take part at the Twin Towers Classic later this month.

The Bermuda Karate Institute will present the Skippy Peanut Butter KICK tournament for junior martial artists on October 1. Entry forms for the event are available from instructors or the BKI until September 29.