sport -- at least for this year.

BF&M revealed it had decided to stop funnelling funds into the Champion of Champions cricket competition.

It is understood the company has annually pumped some $20,000 into the event for several years.

Yesterday's BF&M bombshell was dropped amid controversy over the ill-fated World Cup qualifying tournament in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, sources yesterday claimed the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control (BCBC) were forming a committee to probe alleged off-the-field problems during the tournament.

The Royal Gazette understands the Bermuda team's adviser, ex-Australian captain Bobby Simpson, wrote a hard-hitting report on the tour.

And it is believed team coach Allan Douglas's report contained harsh comments, too.

Contents of the reports were apparently revealed at a Tuesday night BCBC general council meeting.

The BCBC has already set up a board of inquiry to investigate suspicions at least two players smoked marijuana in Malaysia -- a country where drug traffickers risk the death penalty.

BF&M yesterday did not link their sponsorship pull-out decision with the Malaysia rumpus.

Instead, the company blamed lack of support for the Champion of Champions event from the public and the BCBC.

BF&M vice president of marketing and customer service, Glen Gibbons, however, did not rule out a renewal of funding.

"BF&M is not closing the door on future sponsorship of cricket. We believe that cricket is an important part of our community and culture.

"We will be talking with the BCBC to see if there is a place for BF&M in the sport of cricket in Bermuda.'' Mr. Gibbons said BF&M approached the BCBC four years ago to see if there was a way for the company to get involved with cricket.

"Our initial emphasis was on youth development. However, on the recommendation of the BCBC we agreed to take up the sponsorship of the Champion of Champions cricket competition for an initial period of two years, to be reviewed at the end of the period.

"We had high hopes that our sponsorship would help the game of cricket and continued the sponsorship in 1996.'' Mr. Gibbons said BF&M this year reviewed its participation in the Champion of Champions competition -- and decided not to sponsor the event in 1997.

"Our reason is simply that the support that we had anticipated for the event from the BCBC and the public has not been forthcoming.

"We enjoyed four years (three competitions) of involvement with the Champion of Champions cricket event and we wish the BCBC and the organisers success in the future of the competition.'' The Royal Gazette understands the BCBC's position with sponsorship may have been weakened by concern over low gate receipts from the Champion of Champions competition.

According to a BCBC income statement acquired by The Royal Gazette , two matches played at Lord's during the end of last season only brought in $2,678.85 -- even though a minimum of 1,000 people attended the games on each day, paying an admission total of $5 apiece.

Although BF&M's decision has not been linked to events in Malaysia, sponsors have voiced concern at the controversy.

And they believed sportsmen should be drug tested before representing Bermuda overseas -- something not carried out by the BCBC before the Malaysia tour, despite repeated promises by president Ed Bailey.

"It's proven to be necessary, hasn't it? It's a pity it's come to that, and you can't just rely on someone's honour,'' said Richard Hartley, managing director of Burrows Lightbourn.

Mr. Gibbons, who spearheads a BF&M "community involvement'' committee, met company president and CEO Glenn Titterton this week to discuss sponsorship.

He agreed the Malaysia controversy had been touched upon.

Yesterday BCBC president for 14 years, Mr. Bailey failed to return calls from The Royal Gazette news section for the second successive day.