The news that the new King Alfred proposed by Karis is to downgrade its sports facilities (The Argus, June 7) will infuriate some sports enthusiasts and discerning taxpayers in the city.

Brighton and Hove City Council will be giving up a jewel in the crown of Hove's seafront in exchange for diminished sports facilities.

The present trade-off relinquishes any dreams of a new, state-of-the-art leisure/sports centre, which our city, for many years, has deserved and waited for.

Keep Sussex Skating (KSS) is appealing for an international-size, inline hockey pitch, measuring 40 by 20 metres, for local skaters. This would require just four extra metres of easement added to the proposed 38 by 30-metre sports hall.

The British Roller Sports Federation is monitoring and supporting the KSS appeal.

Its president, John Fry, commented: "Our sport must not be left behind. Roller sports, together with karate, squash, rugby sevens and golf, have been nominated and put forward for inclusion in the 2012 Olympic Games.

"We must stress our needs to local authorities when building new facilities and also how roller sports can enhance the use of sports halls across the country.

"The BRSF fully supports Keep Sussex Skating in their efforts to promote all aspects of skating sports."

Presently, London is campaigning assertively to host the 2012 Olympic Games. The proposed King Alfred sports centre, providing an international pitch, would offer greater, top-class training opportunities, should our city become an Olympic destination.

Other sports representatives invited on to the King Alfred public consultation panel did not have to campaign for their sports facilities. Why should KSS have to launch another campaign?

Karis and the council have passed KSS's specifications to the design teams, however, The Argus report

that Karis has provisionally been given the go-ahead has set skaters' alarm bells ringing.

Supporters can request a KSS roller sports petition from keepsussexskating@ntlworld.com

-Patricia Ginman, Keep Sussex Skating, Brighton