Bermuda's Minister of Sports Randy Horton and his ministry will be in the international limelight tomorrow evening when he receives the Institute for International Sport's Power of Good Award.

The 57-year-old Government minister will receive the honour for his outstanding work and contribution to youth and education during an elegant banquet in Rhode Island, USA, as the Institute holds its annual International Scholar-Athlete Hall of Fame induction ceremony and awards.

Horton, who will be accompanied by his wife and two daughters, was "thrilled" about the recognition and the spotlight it would give the Island.

"It's a great feeling that a Bermudian can get such recognition. I feel humbled to be held in such high esteem and to be considered one who exemplifies the scholar-athlete ideal," he said.

The Institute's Director of Public Relations/Marketing Ramsey Baker explained that the Power of Good Award also recognises the awardee's organisation - in this case Bermuda's Ministry of Community Affairs and Sport - because "we believe, as example in this case, that Randy would not be able to do the great things he's doing with youth and education and education through sport without the blessing and assistance of his ministry.

"It's the individual who draws our attention. We look for people who stand head and shoulders above their peers and who bring attention to their respective organisations.

"Randy has been working with kids and in sports long before becoming a minister and we know of his efforts to bring different sporting events to Bermuda starting years ago with the Senior Games."

"What we really looked at, though, is his dedication to young people and education and the fact that he really understands the importance of working with kids and that he sees them as the future," said Baker, adding that Horton was nominated by the Institute's Executive Director Dan Doyle.

The Institute for International Sport is a 15-year-old, non-profit organisation whose mission is to eliminate barriers between people of different cultures and religions using sport, education and culture. It focuses on young people and is also the driving force behind National Sportsmanship Day, held annually in more than 100 countries.

The Institute also runs the International Scholar-Athlete Hall of Fame into which it biennially inducts individuals who have excelled in sports and academics while also contributing to their societies.

At tomorrow's gala, three persons, including Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy-Shriver, will be inducted into the Hall's International Class and 13 persons will be inducted into the Hall's Rhode Island Class.

Apart from Horton, four other persons will receive Power of Good Awards while five persons will receive Frank W. Keaney Awards (coaches or educators who promote the scholar-athlete ideal) and one person accepts the Aret? Award (for promoting honourable competition).

"It's our hope that through this recognition we can direct attention to the work our awardees are doing in their different spheres," said Baker.