heroes and heroines out of each young Bermudian that becomes involved in its myriad programmes, a Minister said yesterday.

Tim Smith , who speaks for this portfolio, made this statement during the debate on his Ministry's $10 million budget.

Mr. Smith said that the aim of his Ministry was to develop youth through sport and through access to park land and wholesome recreation.

Among the many accomplishments of his Ministry, Mr. Smith pointed to the ongoing work at the National Sports Centre and the National Drug Free Sport Policy.

Some 58 delegates from 28 sporting bodies attended the 28th annual sports conference where a broad range of subjects was discussed.

And in February, he said, the Premier hosted the 17th annual Sports awards at the Princess hotel. Sailor Paula Lewin and cricketer James Clay Smith were the sports woman and man of the year respectively.

Meanwhile, Mr. Smith said that the 13th annual theatrical road show made its international debut in St. Lucia after the participants raised much of the money themselves.

Overall Mr. Smith said that there was enough flexibility in the way that the money contained in the budget could be used and this allowed for change where and when necessary.

Nevertheless, he admitted that his Ministry had been criticised because many felt Government did not give enough financial support to the sports clubs.

Turning to the community centres, Mr. Smith said that each of them -- St.

George's, the Centre on Angle Street and Sandys -- had a variety of programmes that involved full and part time staff.

At the St. George's Centre, the Minister pointed out that there were mid-term programmes, holiday programmes, and a cricket programme run by former Cup Match player Charlie Marshall Jr.

While the Sandys Centre had such activities as JuJitsu, soccer and an after school programme.

Meanwhile, Shadow Sport Minister Nelson Bascome said that the Ministry of Youth Development Sport, Parks and Recreation was one of the most important of the ministries because it dealt with the Island's future.

However, he said it was hard not to see a lot of negatives when he looked over the Ministry's performance over the last year.

And he called for the whole enterprise of sport to be run like a business.

Mr. Bascome also said Bermudians wanted a stadium that they could see, use and support.

The Shadow Minister charged that Government had brought a consultant in from overseas to give advice on how to put in a cricket pitch and surrounding grass.

Yet Government had also paid for Bermudians to go to the Caribbean to learn how they prepared their wickets.

And he said that Government was in the habit of using foreign consultants, although there was never any breakdown of the fees they were paid.

Turning to youth centres, Mr. Bascome said that it was important to have them strategically placed and he praised Government for making the facility at Springfield available. But he wanted to know when it would be open.

Mr. Smith responded that it would open later this year.

UBP backbencher Erwin Adderley , meanwhile, pointed out that although much of the debate had focused on sport the portfolio also included parks and recreation which were just as important.

And Shadow Works Minister Walter Roberts said that the difficulty with many clubs was that younger persons had not joined them to replace the older members.

Ministry of Youth Development, Sport, Parks and Recreation 1998/99 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: $10,389,000(last year $5,209,000) Revenue: $1,103,000 Budget allocations Admin & Sports Development $1,660,000 Stadia $578,000 Community Centres $596,000 Camping $802,000 Summer Activities $609,000 After School Care $1,087,000