Bermuda's bid to stage matches during the next cricket World Cup has brought Sports Minister Randy Horton to the wicket.

Bermuda Cricket Board have expressed an interest in staging at least one game during the 2007 event which is being held in the region, and Horton has thrown his weight behind the campaign.

While in Trinidad on a recent visit to the Caribbean, the Minister addressed the issue.

Speaking to the House of Assembly yesterday, he said: "As the development of the northern field area of the National Sports Centre nears completion, there is the hope that some of the one-day internationals associated with teams touring this region, and playing against the West Indies, will be played there.

"Pursuant to that goal, while I was in Trinidad I initiated talks with officials of the West Indies Cricket Board."

Other countries also expressed their interest in hosting some of the games, but Horton said he was pleased with the way his approach had gone.

"I was well received and was able to lay the groundwork for further discussions on this matter, which I am hoping will culminate in our hosting at least one match in the World Cup when it is staged in this region in 2007," he said.

While in the area, Horton also travelled to the Bahamas to see the Island's competitors in the Caribbean Boxing Championships - an event which saw Sharieff Wales and Trace Easton secure gold medals.

"The performance of the boxers bodes well for my objective of reviving this sport in Bermuda," he said yesterday. "I am hoping that our boxers will have an opportunity to participate in the Pan-Am Games in July."

Earlier in his visit to Trinidad, Horton also spent time at the Carifta Games, an event that Bermuda will stage next year.

"This (trip) not only afforded an opportunity for me to provide support for Bermuda's team," he said. "But, just as importantly, to continue to confirm this Government's support for the staging of these Games in Bermuda in 2004.

"I was able to attend the Games on all three days of competition, during which our team, though only seven strong, acquitted themselves well in that two of the team won medals - a gold and bronze for Brittney Marshall and a silver medal for Latroya Darrell."

Horton said their appeared to be an air of "acceptance and excitement" surrounding Bermuda's hosting of the Games and there was an indication that "quite a number of our regional neighbours are planning to attend".

"The attendance of an accompanying member of my Ministry afforded additional opportunities for the gathering of information that will be useful in our planning for 2004," he said. "There was much to be gained from attending the event which saw hundreds of Trinidadians volunteering. Success in Bermuda next year will require the same from Bermudians."