Bermuda?s sporting history is to be highlighted during a series of lectures this month, organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs.

The talks are part of the Historical Heart Beats Lecture Series and will kick off next Tuesday at the Dr. E.F.Gordon Hall in the Bermuda Industrial Union building when local historians and sports personalities will speak on the history of local cricket and football.

The lecture is due to get underway at 7.30 p.m. with historian Warrington (Soup) Zuill, former Cup Match cricketer Barry DeCouto and Bermuda Football Association general secretary David Sabir among the speakers.

Maurice Hankey and Anthony Roberts are also scheduled to speak.

Among the topics covered will be the instrumental role that the British Garrison in St. George?s and Prospect and the British Navy in Dockyard played in introducing the two sports to Bermuda.

Additional lectures are scheduled throughout January focused on sailing, swimming, equestrian, boxing, track and field and road running.

On Thursday, January 20 at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (7.30-9.30 p.m.) the history of tennis, swimming and equestrian will be addressed by various speakers and that will be followed on Thursday, January 27 at the Leopard?s Club (7.30-9.30 p.m.) by a series of talks on boxing, track and field, marathon and road running.

Sports Minister Dale Butler said in a statement yesterday that all of the talks would ?highlight the importance of bringing senior players together to share their experiences in sports activities and to acknowledge their contributions and the many challenges that sport has faced in Bermuda, including segregation.?

Butler pointed out that the contribution by seniors to sports in Bermuda had opened up endless opportunities for today?s youth to participate in local and international events.

He said he was hopeful that many of the Island?s young sportsmen and women would support the lectures.

?We are encouraging our sporting heroes, families, friends and the general public to attend these events and to pay tribute to our sports legends who are part of our living history,? said Butler.

He noted that the Department of Cultural Affairs would continue to raise awareness of Bermuda?s history and culture through its promotion of the Historical Heart Beats Series.

The lectures will be recorded on video for future use in the schools.

Individual and group photographs of the Island?s sporting heroes as well as photos of various events will be on display during the lectures.