Funds given to the Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) should be reallocated to a new fund within the department of Youth and Sport, MP Elvin James told Parliamentarians on Friday.

Speaking during the motion to adjourn, Mr. James claimed that the BOA, which receives $150,000 annually from Government to assist athletes, only spends about 50 percent of that money.

While Mr. James - whose son Xavier has qualified for the Commonwealth Games as a sprinter - noted that the amount of money was a "drop in the bucket" when talking about the development of the youth, in particular, he said it was important to advancing Bermuda in the sporting world.

He explained that athletes who fall under Category A are those who qualify for top sporting competitions such as the Commonwealth Games, the Pan Am Games, and the Olympics.

They receive the maximum amount of funds allocated for financial assistance to sportsmen and women. Athletes who fall under Category B receive less money.

Mr. James claimed that that all too often young athletes do not get the funding they need.

Mr. James said: "I do believe there are lots of young people on the Island that can compete at a high level if given the chance."

Noting his own sons, he said that the parents end up supporting their young athletes. He claimed that the athletes who are enabled to shine are those whose parents can afford to support them.

Mr. James said he estimates he is spending between $15,0000 to $30,000 to support his sons in representing their country. Both have qualified for Olympic teams and have track and field times under the Olympic required time. However, they have faced difficulty in securing funds.

He added: "We have people right now not receiving support from the Bermuda Olympic Association."

And he said that, on the other hand, there is funding given to sending officials overseas.

He said that the BOA is also outdated, stating that a document he read from the association listed the late Randy Benjamin as a contact.

"I'm going to suggest that we not allocate these funds to the BOA but that we create a separate fund under Youth and Sport to make sure there is proper representation at all competitions in the future," Mr. James said.

"This way we will may certain the funds are adequately provided and everyone is given the opportunity to perform at the highest level.

"I'm not taking a poke at the Minister and the Department of Youth and Sport but I am concerned."