Government is to provide funding to start random drug testing in sports and will help sponsor the Island's cricketers when they bid for a place in cricket's World Cup, the new Youth and Sports Minister announced yesterday.

David Dyer was making his first budget speech as a Minister since he took over the Youth and Sports portfolio from former Minister Tim Smith .

He said the department's budget had increased by almost eight percent to $5.2 million and the extra $378,000 would be used in a variety of areas.

Money will be spent relocating the go-karting to Kindley Field, $100,000 will be given to the Bermuda Football Association for coaching, and support will be given for the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control for the ICC tournament in Malaysia.

Funding will also go towards random drug testing, upgrading facilities at the old Naval Air Station, for increased grants and to cater for wage increases.

Dr. Dyer also said he was optimistic about finding cash for a new community centre in Somerset.

Other objectives he told the House of Assembly included building a recreational area in Somerset, continuing to develop a drugs free sports policy and complete the remaining phases of the National Sports Centre.

The Minister also listed successes over the past 12 months which included the beginning of a drug free sport policy which has the support of the National Drug Commission.

Trustees of the National Sports Centre have completed a master plan and the centre, said Dr. Dyer, should be completed by the Fall of 1999.

The after-school programme had been increased with the Victor Scott school taking part, all-weather cricket pitches were installed at Shelly Bay and Somerset and the annual Youth Parliament had been held.

"This is an extremely important Ministry dealing with all aspects of Bermuda life,'' said Dr. Dyer.

Shadow Youth and Sports Minister Nelson Bascome said: "When a Minister reads from a brief I wonder if they really understand the Budget. Sports need vigour.'' Mr. Bascome generally welcomed most of the announcements by Dr. Dyer but said more was still needed.

He suggested hosting College Weeks to expose Bermuda's athletes to competition and a National Youth Corps to catch people who fell through the cracks.

The PLP would develop youth centres linked to sporting centres and would work to put back spirit and pride in sports, he said.

Mr. Bascome added: "Until we run sports as a business we will continue to hear rumblings about groups not having enough money. We need to have five, ten and 20 year plans.'' He also suggested creating a `super-fund', managed by trustees, to help fund sporting groups, but said no to a lottery for sports.

On drugs in sport, the Shadow Minister commended the Youth and Sports Department for its work.

But he added: "Let me condemn The Royal Gazette that continues to perpetuate drug use in our Country through misrepresentation.'' He was referring to claims that the PLP was soft on crime and drugs but said there were PLP members working in drug agencies throughout the Country.

Mr. Bascome added: "A PLP member will not drink at the wheel of a car.'' It was a reference to Editor David L. White recently being fined after admitting drinking and driving.

The Shadow Minister said he was increasingly worried about violence among young people and called for a national awareness campaign on youth violence.

Mr. Bascome also called for local experts to be involved and not squeezed out by foreigners involved in developing drug free policies as well as the National Sports Centre.

He added: "Over the last three years we have had three Youth and Sports Ministers, but we need to take this Ministry very seriously and we have to stop finding new Ministers every year.'' Former Premier Sir John Swan said sometimes foreign experts were needed in Bermuda as they had vast experience.

He also attacked the media and said it should be careful over the messages it sent to the community.

Sir John also suggested creating a lottery to fund sporting groups in Bermuda instead of a `super-fund'.

"Government cannot do it all and I would ask Government to come up with a lottery that is dedicated towards youth, sports and recreation.'' PLP backbencher Ottiwell Simmons said he though there would be opposition to a lottery, in particular from religious groups opposed to gambling.

Mr. Simmons suggested bringing off-season training camps to Bermuda as a way of raising foreign exchange and raising money.

He also said he hoped the National Sports Centre would not prove to be over-elaborate and would just be sufficient for Bermuda's use.

Shadow Human Affairs Minister Ewart Brown accused Government of suppressing sports development and competition which was connected to increased crime.

"This Government needs to make the connection between sports development and the development of young people by encouraging sporting activities,'' he said.

Ministry of Youth Development, Sport & Recreation 1997/98 estimates Ministry responsibility: To promote and support leisure activities through youth work, recreation and sport, to provide paid and volunteer workers and leaders for the implementation of the programme and to support through grants community organisations concerned with sporting and leisure activities.

Budget estimate: $5,209,000 (last year $4,831,000) Budget allocations Admin. & Sports Development $1,696,000 Stadia $587,000 Community Centres $598,000 Camping $705,000 Summer activities $594,000 After School Care $1,029,000 Revenue $747,000