Permanent Invitee Status should go to the deserving
By Sharan Kumar
The Indian Turf Invitation Cup weekend—just a
fortnight away, and along with the races, we get the much-anticipated tradition
of nominating a worthy soul to the Hall of Fame. Now, in an ideal world, this
honour would go to someone with undeniable charisma, a significant contribution
to the sport, and the ability to elevate horse racing through sheer influence.
But, as we all know, ideals are for dreamers.
Historically, even politicians—those with a “keen
interest” in the sport—have managed to worm their way into the Hall of Fame,
thanks to their “invaluable” knack for rubbing elbows with the government. Case
in point: the Bangalore Turf Club once decided to honour
actor-turned-politician Ambareesh. His dominating presence and political muscle
certainly proved useful for the club, not to mention his enthusiastic
participation in the races, his horse ownership, and the extra glamour he
brought to the sport in his special way.
Then we have the curious case of permanent invitees to
the Turf Authorities of India. You’d think this status would be reserved for
the sport’s true contributors, the stalwarts whose names alone command respect.
But no—some clubs, including the Bangalore Turf Club, have taken to nominating
their stewards, many of whom have contributed about as much to racing as lawn
ornaments. Not to be outdone, the Mysore Race Club jumped on the bandwagon,
bestowing this prestigious status with the generosity of handing out free
samples. Meanwhile, the Madras Race Club, ever the outlier, has exercised
restraint, limiting nominations to a select few—an act that now seems
revolutionary.
Let's be clear: being named a permanent invitee should
be a privilege, not a participation trophy. Just because someone sits in the
board room for a fleeting moment doesn’t mean they should be immortalized.
There should be a cap on nominations, and—here’s a wild thought—maybe the
nominees should be respected figures in the sport. Shockingly, there have been
cases where nominees were facing court charges.
Of course, as with any award, the nomination process
is never without drama. Last year, the BTC Chairman wasted no time anointing
himself as a permanent invitee, only to be swiftly forced out when the
government refused to grant a license until the entire committee stepped down.
A textbook case of premature self-congratulation. This year, the tradition
continues, with committee members feverishly lobbying for their nominations as
if it were the last seat on a lifeboat.
Admittedly, there have been a few shining
moments—deserving administrators and standout professionals whose contributions
weren’t just fluff. Take top trainer Padmanabhan, celebrated by the Madras Race
Club, or BTC’s S. Ganapathy. Their nominations were earned, not just a
nod in a popularity contest. The nominee list should spark genuine admiration,
not eye-rolls.
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