Government made the first decision on the future use of the US Naval Air Station.

A plot of land, about six acres in total, will be preserved for children to play baseball, soccer and golf under the stewardship of the Bermuda Youth Athletic Organisation.

It is the first decision to be made on the use of the massive area of land that will be deserted by the American military on September 1.

Government is currently drawing up a strategy which will govern the future development of the area.

Yesterday Minister of Management and Technology the Hon. Grant Gibbons said: "This area was used for recreation by the US Navy and also children as part of the YAO. As the base started to close, the YAO came to an end earlier this year.

"On September 1, this area of land will be handed over to the Ministry of Youth and Sport and will be handled for the benefit of the community.'' As well as baseball, soccer and golf, the Bermuda YAO hopes to set up new sports such as basketball and encourage summer camps as well as exchange visits with other countries.

It is expected that a similar arrangement to designate part of the US Naval Annex in the West End for sports will also be set up.

Many groups are urging the Government to allow them to use land at the Base, but it is expected that no further decisions will be made until Government has compiled a strategy for the use of the Base lands.

Youth and Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon said the handing over of the land was "extremely good news' as many people connected with the YAO thought they would have nowhere once the base programme stopped.

"We are pleased we will be able to continue the good work that was started by the US groups in conjunction with the Bermuda groups,'' she added.

Mr. Kelvin Hastings-Smith, temporary chairman of the Bermuda YAO which was set up in June, said it was a group organised by parents in St. David's and St.

George's to carry on the programme previously run by the base.

He said the YAO had already been promised $15,000 in sponsorship from the Round Table and an anonymous company, and was hoping to secure another sponsorship deal to help run the programme.