Director of Youth, Sport and Recreation Norbert Simons yesterday categorically denied that the Annual Bermuda Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony had been scrapped this year on account of a significant budget shortfall.

This year's ceremony was due to be held next month but is alleged to have fallen victim to a budget cut and will not go ahead as originally planned.

It is understood that considerable funding allocated to cricket and football was not specifically budgeted for it, thus prompting Government to cut back on some of its various programmes such as the Hall of Fame.

However, youth and sports director Simons denied this was the case and yesterday moved swiftly to set the record straight, insisting this year's Hall of Fame ceremony was put off due to an ongoing review by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Recreation - and not because of a lack of funding.

"We are currently looking to review everything under the youth and sports umbrella and it isn't just the Hall of Fame (ceremony)," Simons said.

"We are trying to revise the Hall of Fame and a panel is going to meet over; not only how to make it better, but also how to ensure that it remains a prestigious event. We really believe events such as the Hall of Fame should be so prestigious that it is an honour to be in it. Those who have made major contributions to local sport should be honoured and put on a pedestal, rather than just attending a feel good event.

"So we are reviewing the Hall of Fame and Sports Awards (ceremony) as well as our summer day camp programmes because we want to change our focus and not be a department that puts on these events just for the sake of putting them on.

"We want to put on something that has some meaning and substance and the minister (El James) has already made some suggestions on how we can move forward."

The Bermuda Sports Hall of Fame was established four years ago to honour outstanding persons, living or deceased, who have gained prominence in sport or who have made substantial contributions to Bermudian sport.

Last year saw the likes of cricketer Lloyd James, tennis legend Heather Brewer-Segal and martial artists Frederick (Skipper) Ingham inducted into the Bermuda Sports Hall of Fame.

When contacted yesterday, an anonymous Hall of Fame source confirmed that this year's event would not go ahead as originally planned.

"We are aware from our talks with the director (Simons) that this year's programme will not take place as scheduled," he said. "Anything further then that will be forthcoming following our meeting with the director and a review that the Board (Hall of Fame Board of directors) will present."