Sports Minister Dale Butler provided a welcome boost to the heavily maligned Bermuda Track and Field Association yesterday, claiming that he has been "extremely impressed" with their ongoing CARIFTA Games preparations.

Although he admitted that he had gone "toe to toe" with the governing body at the beginning on various issues, he said that they have now convinced him that they are "on track" and very much in the right over their controversial stance on national athlete training requirements.

However, espousing sentiments that are sure to invoke the ire of many of the BTFA's critics, Butler insisted that Government had no right to interfere with the continued appointment of national coach Gerry Swan, who some argue has been given a "lifetime appointment" by the governing body and has never been held to account for consistent underachievement.

This is despite the fact that Swan's salary is covered by the Government's annual grant, leading some to argue that Government has a right and a responsibility to impose their authority on the situation.

"I'm very impressed with everything they are doing and am pleased with the progress that has been made," Butler said.

"I had a meeting with the marketing representative of the BTFA who has been out there lobbying the corporate community and her presentations have been first-class - everything is extremely positive and moving forward apace."

Covering many of the points raised by BTFA director Mike Watson during his defence of the governing body printed in the in the Royal Gazette last week, Butler said that only one club, the Mid Island Striders, had yet to come under the governing body's banner, and he very much hopes that "they will see the light."

"There was, and still is, in some instances, the perception in Bermuda - I even had it for a while - that there are about 50 athletes not affiliated to the BTFA and their programme," he said.

"The reality is that there is only one club who has not yet got involved and only about five athletes. We can only hope that they will eventually get involved."

Butler admitted that he did not yet know how much money the BTFA has managed to raise to date, but revealed that the organisation has promised him a report on the matter towards the end of the month.

It was revealed in late November last year that the original estimate of $500,000 for the costs of the Games had been revised to a whopping $716,000 - with Government required to pick up any shortfall that the BTFA encounters.

The sports minister said that government would be more than happy to foot the bill so long as he continues to be convinced that the governing body's fund raising committee is hard at work, lobbying the corporate community.

"They have not rested on their laurels at all," he said. "And even if there is a sizeable shortfall I will still support them because they are genuinely trying and have been making first-class presentations."

Despite being repeatedly pressed on the issue of the national coach, Butler remained unmoved.

"I'm sure Mr. Swan is aware of concerns about his performance but there is nothing we can do about it really - it is an internal matter, and for my part I have 100 percent faith in the leadership of the BTFA," he said.

"Only the BTFA and its affiliates can deal with it, we have no say in that regard. Instead, I look forward, despite a number of comments out there that are somewhat negative, to a first class Games which will reflect Bermuda's wealth and Bermuda's interest in sport."