Government yesterday pumped an unprecedented $15 million into football ? making the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) the richest national sports governing body.

The huge cash injection, to be handed out over the next five years, will help finance the BFA?s ambitious six-year plan to revamp the sport domestically.

?This is a proud day for the football family in Bermuda. This is also a proud day for all Bermudians to know that the significance of football has been marked this day,? Sports Minister Randy Horton said in announcing the investment yesterday.

?More importantly this will be the start of many years of national pride for all of Bermuda as our football develops and produces winners on the field and also winners off the field,? added the Minister.

The BFA will use the funding to hire both a Technical and Youth Director, prepare the Island?s various national teams for overseas competition, upgrade the domestic league and cup competitions and support academic and scholarship programmes for youth footballers.

In addition, public funding will go towards the hosting of a Bermuda Football Classic ? which would see legendary footballers from around the globe play against local opposition at the National Sports Centre (NSC) ? raising the standard of refereeing and club development.

A full-time professional fund development officer will also be hired to raise more funding from corporate sector for the BFA?s various programmes.

?If the Government can come up with $15m I would certainly hope that there will be support from the corporate sector,? the Minister continued.

?The Government recognises the role that football plays in Bermuda. It is now time to provide significant funding so that the people of Bermuda can be a part of the development of football over the next few years when our young people can aspire to winning international competitions, obtaining scholarships to college and university and making positive contributions to Bermuda through football. It?s called progressive thinking.?

Yesterday?s announcement arrived 15 months after Government agreed to pump $11m into cricket over a four-year period.

Mr. Horton, a former New York Cosmos and Somerset Trojans? footballer, added: ?There is growing evidence that involvement in sports helps to prevent young people from getting mixed up in crime and drugs. Football is good for society.

?Our support recognises and endorses the key role which our national sport can play in meeting the Government?s wider agenda.

?We are impressed by the mission and vision statements of the Bermuda Football Association that speaks to governance, promotion of football, development, academic opportunities, positive contributions to society, and of course, national pride.

?On behalf of my Cabinet colleagues and the Government of Bermuda, I am pleased to announce that the Bermuda Football Association will receive $15m over the course of the next five-years.

?This is another affirmation that the Government is firmly committed to the development of the Island?s youth.?

Flanked by several of his fellow executives, BFA president, Larry Mussenden, stated: ?Despite the thanks that we may extend to you (Government), you may still never know the genuine appreciation that we have for all of your efforts and guidance.

?This significant funding will ricochet around the world of football, particularly in the Caribbean, CONCACAF and FIFA. And I believe this may now be a motivation for other countries to follow suit. But in any event, this will be a major factor in helping Bermuda to become the dominant football country in the Caribbean, and beyond.?