Government to cover his air fare to the ICC Trophy Tournament.

Earlier this week Butler was reportedly looking for more than $1,500 in financial support to pay for his trip to Malaysia next weekend before Government came to the rescue.

Youth and Sports Director Brenton Roberts confirmed the development yesterday, disclosing that Sports Minister Dr. David Dyer had approved the umpire's late request for funds.

"Yes, there was a late application from the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association for assistance to get Mr. Butler down to the ICC as Bermuda's umpire to that event, and the Minister considered his application on Tuesday.

I verbally informed Mr. Butler that the Minister had agreed to help with the air fare,'' said Roberts.

"The Minister was very sympathetic to his request and we did what we could to assist him. We have helped the BCUA on previous occasions. This certainly wasn't the first time.'' While Roberts wasn't about to make an issue out of fare, it's understood that members of the BCUA were upset over developments.

Their concern was over Bermuda Cricket Board of Control's inability to assist the umpire they had elected to be Bermuda's representative after two previous umpires sent to the ICC competition reportedly received the Board's financial help.

Nobody from the BCUA was willing to go on record, but one member commented: "I think it's ridiculous that Butler has just found out that no ticket has been provided for him to make this expensive trip. This certainly hasn't happened before.'' However, BCBC president Ed Bailey defended the Board's decision and indicated that the onus was on the BCUA to seek funding themselves, claiming that on the previous occasions it was never the Board's responsibility.

"We appointed Mr. Butler some time ago and the BCUA had ample notification, this being quite early in the New Year,'' said Bailey.

Gov't pay for umpire From Page 13 "If Government have come up with the necessary assistance then we are indeed very gracious to them. Once again they have shown their interest and support for the game of cricket.'' Though thrilled to learn that he had been selected as Bermuda's lone umpiring representative at the tournament, Butler was reportedly surprised that no ticket had been provided for the trip.

Butler would not comment on the matter but sources said he was concerned to have been faced with such a dilemma so close to the team's departure.

When contacted, Butler said it was a personal matter and that any information about his trip to the ICC should be made public by the BCBC.

Bailey insisted that any explanation should be given by Butler's own association, the BCUA.