B R Sharan Kumar

  When the Committee Room Stops Racing   Horse racing is built on competition, but competition appears to be disappearing from the committee rooms of some racing clubs. When the same people remain in power for years, elections become predictable, opposition weakens and fresh ideas struggle to find space. Experience is valuable, but prolonged control can breed complacency, vested interests and intolerance of criticism. Should racing now examine whether fixed terms and genuine leadership renewal are necessary for healthier, more accountable institutions?   By Sharan Kumar   Horse racing is built on competition. Horses compete for prizes, jockeys for winners, trainers for championships and owners for recognition. Yet in some of India’s race clubs, the one place where competition appears to have disappeared is the committee room. When the same people remain in control for years, sometimes decades, elections become predictable, opposition weakens and fresh ...