Fears that Bermuda?s 2011 Small Island Games bid could be placed in jeopardy by Government inaction are unfounded, the Director of Youth and Sport insisted yesterday.

Brenton Robert was responding to Small Island Games committee chairman Jon Beard, who has expressed his anxiety over Government?s ongoing failure to give their bid official backing ahead of a visit from the International Island Games Association (IGA) this weekend.

Beard also revealed that rival bidder, the Isle of Wight, have already secured government approval and are making a big deal in their proposal of the Bermuda Government?s tardiness in following suit.

?We are concerned that our bid might be adversely affected if the Government does not do something about this quickly,? said Beard.

?It has been made clear to us that one of the most important aspects of any bid is to have the backing of your Government and in the Isle of Wight?s proposal there is a supportive message from their Government at the very front.

?They are also pointing out that we as yet have not been given our Government?s blessing. So the sooner we can get it the better.?

Roberts, however, said a Hosting Committee ? charged with assessing the viability of the bid from Government?s perspective ? had already been established but that the ill-health of the chairman had thrown a spanner in the works.

He called the Isle of Wight?s decision to highlight the absence of Government support in Bermuda as ?predictable politicking?.

?We are meeting with the delegation from the International Games Association on Monday and we do not anticipate there being a problem,? he said.

?As soon as the chairman of the Hosting Committee ? who will be named in due course by Minister (Dale) Butler in an official announcement ? regains his health we will get on the with process as quickly as possible. But I really don?t think there is anything to worry about.?

Three members of the IGA will be arriving tomorrow for a final assessment visit and leave on Tuesday.

On a previous trip here early last year, IGA chairman Bo Frykenstam sung Bermuda?s praises, suggesting the facilities either already on display or due to be built were among the best he had seen on any island.

The winner will be announced in Rhodes on July 8.