BOA anger at funding cuts for Britain's minority sports

LONDON (Reuters) - The British Olympic Association (BOA) accused the Government of turning its back on less popular sports on Wednesday when a breakdown of funding for sports in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics was published.

Sports such as fencing, handball, shooting, table tennis and volleyball have still not been told how much funding they will receive up to the London Games, although UK Sport, responsible for allocating the money, said all would receive basic funding.

UK Sport also confirmed the target of finishing fourth in the Olympics medals table in London was unchanged but the BOA says the government has failed to honor its promise of funding to all sports and producing medal winners in four years.

"It is disappointing that, despite extensive lobbying we find ourselves in the position now, just three months after the most successful Olympic Games for Great Britain in 100 years, where the Government has failed to honor their funding promise to all our Olympic sports," BOA chief executive Andy Hunt said in a statement.

"For those sports that have learnt today that they face an uncertain financial future, two years of planning and investment has been thrown up in the air.

"As host nation in 2012, as opposed to previous Games, all our sports are effectively pre-qualified to compete which is why it is so disheartening that such a unique opportunity for our athletes to be a part of a home Olympic Games is now uncertain."

SEVERE SHORTFALL

The global economic downturn has resulted in a 100 million pounds shortfall in the 600 million pounds funding package announced by the government in 2006.

On Tuesday the government announced an injection of a further 50 million pounds of public money but said there would be no more -- meaning UK Sport has had to juggle a smaller pot.

Cycling, swimming and rowing, the mainstay of Britain's above expectation fourth-place in the Beijing medals table, are unaffected and will receive more than 100 million pounds between them to prepare for 2012. Athletics is largely unaffected despite a poor showing in Beijing.

UK Sport said the funding package kept Britain on course to match its fourth place in the Olympics and second place in the Paralympics medals table. However, it acknowledged that it had prioritized because of the tough economic climate.

"With a shortfall in the overall funding available we had to make some tough calls, but we did so in the knowledge that our no compromise' strategy is not only known and understood by sport but was also the basis of our success in Beijing," Sue Campbell, Chair of UK Sport said in a statement.

She said UK Sport would be looking at ways of securing added funding for some of the sport's effected by Wednesday's announcement.

A total of 292 million pounds has been invested in sport for the London 2012 Games, added to the 265 million invested for the Beijing Olympics.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Padraic Halpin)