Antonio Pierce's free football camp will go ahead next weekend after a funding row with the Department of Tourism was resolved.

The camp had been under threat after a misunderstanding saw the department pull out of its original decision to help finance the occasion, with the sum involved believed to be $35,000.

Bermuda Tourism has now agreed to sponsor the event, and they have even pulled off something of a coup in the process.

As well as getting five Super Bowl winning New York Giants to coach at the camp, they have also secured the rights to use Pierce in a new tourism campaign in New York.

"In exchange for its support of the event, Bermuda Tourism will have the opportunity to use Antonio Pierce in upcoming ad promotions on radio, television, billboard, print and/or internet," a spokesman for the Bermuda Department of Tourism said.

"This will be particularly valuable in New York because that market is Bermuda's biggest for tourism visitors and is also a market where Antonio Pierce is highly recognizable in his role as a New York Giant. Furthermore, Antonio Pierce's name and image has immediate national appeal because his team is the reigning Superbowl Champion.

"The use of Antonio Pierce as a pitchman for Bermuda Tourism is a potentially robust marketing opportunity in the United States."

A representative for Pierce said: "We have come to an agreement with the Department for Tourism and Antonio is pleased to be involved in promoting Bermuda in New York."

Pierce will be joined at next Saturday's camp by his teammates Mathias Kiwanuka, Osi Umenyiora, Gibril Wilson and Jesse Armstead in what they hope will be a positive and fun filled introduction to American Football for the children involved.

"My goal for this camp is to teach basic football skills, but most importantly is to promote self esteem through positive experiences like this camp.

"I feel opportunities such as this can offer kids a chance to hear directly from their NFL heroes that they can achieve their dreams through hard work and determination.

"I want them to know that they can become anything, a doctor, lawyer, professional football player or even president."

Camp admission is free and open to the first 150 kids from ages 7-14.

Registration begins at 8:30 am June 21 and the camp will conclude at 12:30 pm.

Pierce and the other New York Giants will also be holding a Gala dinner at the Southampton Princess the same evening to raise money for his new scholarship programme for Bermudian students who want to study in the US.

"I have met quite a few students on the island that have worked hard to get good grades in school and now wish to study abroad," said Pierce.

"I want to reward their efforts by providing needed scholarships.

"This inaugural event will assist my efforts to provide scholarships for those students wishing to pursue their dreams of higher education. Thank you in advance for embracing my efforts to make a difference through education."

As well as the dinner, there will be a charity auction as well as the chance to mingle with a host of celebrities who are expected to attend.

n Individual tickets for the Gala Dinner are now available for $250 per person or $400 per couple and can be purchased by calling (441) 333-2476, (770) 222-2229 or via email at profilespr@aol.com.