Why so much public apathy for horse racing?
The Government of Karnataka has been very keen to shift the Bangalore race course at any cost at the end of this year. The government is not in a mood to grant any more extension as the club has failed to react to government’s offer of new land several times in the past. Racing is under threat in Bangalore which is bound to have its repercussions all over the country as clubs are dependent on of-course betting for their survival. The damage will be all pervasive and it will have far reaching consequences on horse and breeding industry.
Racing does not enjoy high public esteem and as such, the government move which threatens the very survival of the sport, has not got any public reaction. The Chief Minister has promised a huge public park in place of the existing race course. Only those who are concerned about racing are a worried lot.
The Bangalore Turf Club has let down everyone concerned. There is anger against the way the club is run. The membership of the club is not open to anyone even if he has 100 horses in racing. The general body elects members in the event of the death of an existing member. There are just 350 members in the club. To become a member of the club is more difficult than getting membership of Legislative Assembly! The electorate does not allow for anyone to get in and in the last elections to the club, there were 11 vacancies and ten of them were filled by sons of members.
The members enjoy so many facilities that it has become the envy of all. The turf club members, by their behavior, have not endeared themselves to anyone including the government. This is largely seen as the main reason for government’s hostility.
The suggestion that the race horse owners themselves should come forward and take aggressive measures is to save the sport. BTC is run by people who have no stake in racing as race horse owners are banned from holding crucial position in the elected managing committee.
People who are hurt most by the government move are the race horse owners and punters. Race horse owners have a huge stake in racing. To insulate the sport from future problems, it would be wise if the owners took the initiative, raise enough money and run it themselves instead of leaving the sport at the mercy of BTC. The BTC Management is so callous that they did not think twice before cancelling its most prestigious race, the Derby two years ago. It is in this context that race horse owners should take charge of the destiny of the sport.
As a small step, they can think of owning some land which is sure to come in handy, given the stabling problem and the future scarcity of land.
Even RWITC is under threat from the corporation which has said that it may not renew its lease. RWITC members, with their clout, may successfully, thwart the government move. But in the interest of the sport, no harm is done if the club also thinks of owning its own land where it is available to ensure the safety of the sport. You cannot rely all the time on the existing land and public concern to bail out the sport.
Take cricket for example. The Mumbai Cricket Association built its own Wankhede Stadium even though the Brabourne Stadium facility was available hardly 1000 metres away from the new facility. There is also the Patil Stadium which is also handy. In the Karnataka, the state association has bought land at several places in Bangalore and elsewhere which is useful if the existing stadium becomes too congested in future due to city’s expansion. Every sport has to be ready for any eventuality.
To cramp all activity in one place is surely being foolish. Even if the club were to avert the present emergency, the onus is to look to the future. If the club’s vision is blurred, then the race horse owners, who have the resources, should take charge and carry the sport forward. It is in this context that the collective will of the people who matter in racing, take steps to save the sport and also create additional facility which will not go waste.
Imagine, if BTC is able to conduct summer and winter racing at two different venues, with excellent facilities. The track can be maintained in tip top condition and facilities provided world class. The RWITC is perhaps helped by the fact that they have an alternative in Pune Race Course but then the place belongs to the army and hence, the premier club too should think of building its own infrastructure at Pune. There is no point in waiting for the fire to learn about fire fighting exercise!
Racing does not enjoy high public esteem and as such, the government move which threatens the very survival of the sport, has not got any public reaction. The Chief Minister has promised a huge public park in place of the existing race course. Only those who are concerned about racing are a worried lot.
The Bangalore Turf Club has let down everyone concerned. There is anger against the way the club is run. The membership of the club is not open to anyone even if he has 100 horses in racing. The general body elects members in the event of the death of an existing member. There are just 350 members in the club. To become a member of the club is more difficult than getting membership of Legislative Assembly! The electorate does not allow for anyone to get in and in the last elections to the club, there were 11 vacancies and ten of them were filled by sons of members.
The members enjoy so many facilities that it has become the envy of all. The turf club members, by their behavior, have not endeared themselves to anyone including the government. This is largely seen as the main reason for government’s hostility.
The suggestion that the race horse owners themselves should come forward and take aggressive measures is to save the sport. BTC is run by people who have no stake in racing as race horse owners are banned from holding crucial position in the elected managing committee.
People who are hurt most by the government move are the race horse owners and punters. Race horse owners have a huge stake in racing. To insulate the sport from future problems, it would be wise if the owners took the initiative, raise enough money and run it themselves instead of leaving the sport at the mercy of BTC. The BTC Management is so callous that they did not think twice before cancelling its most prestigious race, the Derby two years ago. It is in this context that race horse owners should take charge of the destiny of the sport.
As a small step, they can think of owning some land which is sure to come in handy, given the stabling problem and the future scarcity of land.
Even RWITC is under threat from the corporation which has said that it may not renew its lease. RWITC members, with their clout, may successfully, thwart the government move. But in the interest of the sport, no harm is done if the club also thinks of owning its own land where it is available to ensure the safety of the sport. You cannot rely all the time on the existing land and public concern to bail out the sport.
Take cricket for example. The Mumbai Cricket Association built its own Wankhede Stadium even though the Brabourne Stadium facility was available hardly 1000 metres away from the new facility. There is also the Patil Stadium which is also handy. In the Karnataka, the state association has bought land at several places in Bangalore and elsewhere which is useful if the existing stadium becomes too congested in future due to city’s expansion. Every sport has to be ready for any eventuality.
To cramp all activity in one place is surely being foolish. Even if the club were to avert the present emergency, the onus is to look to the future. If the club’s vision is blurred, then the race horse owners, who have the resources, should take charge and carry the sport forward. It is in this context that the collective will of the people who matter in racing, take steps to save the sport and also create additional facility which will not go waste.
Imagine, if BTC is able to conduct summer and winter racing at two different venues, with excellent facilities. The track can be maintained in tip top condition and facilities provided world class. The RWITC is perhaps helped by the fact that they have an alternative in Pune Race Course but then the place belongs to the army and hence, the premier club too should think of building its own infrastructure at Pune. There is no point in waiting for the fire to learn about fire fighting exercise!
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