RICHARD Starks is right to point out the scandalous Government hijack of Lottery funds (November 22). How much of the six million allocated to schools and community sports facilities will actually end up in the voluntary sports clubs?

It is a fair bet that the cash will overwhelmingly go into schools whose funding by the Government and local authorities has been so inadequate that this is a big chance to make up ground.

Meanwhile, your local amateur voluntary sports club is struggling to make ends meet as it faces the prospect of reduced rate relief, the new climate change levy on energy supplies and a whole raft of regulatory issues, not to mention the impending possible emasculation of fruit machines by reducing the maximum pay out to £15 in members' clubs.

Hopefully, any investment in schools will pay off handsomely, but then we will have a nation of champions leaving school to find voluntary facilities disappeared or fading fast.

One thing we know about sport today is that schools have been struggling to deliver, whereas the clubs are already delivering. Any sensible businessman could work out the best place to invest.

Chris Houseman,

Honorary Secretary,

York District Sports Council.

Updated: 10:41 Monday, November 26, 2001