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BTC AGM should provide a healing touch

  September 23 , 2016
   


By Sharan Kumar

The Royalty imbroglio between Royal Western India Turf Club and Bangalore Turf Club can be resolved with a little bit of give and take on the part of both the clubs. The Royal Western India Turf Club has already shown good gesture by giving signals to Bangalore Turf Club to conduct off-course betting on its racing with immediate effect, without any pre-condition till November so that enough time and space is created to resolve the issue.

``I hope this goodwill measure on the part of RWITC will be appreciated by the new Managing Committee of BTC which is due to take charge next week and pave the way for a negotiated settlement. I have always said that the best way to arrive at a solution is through dialogue,`` said Vivek Jain, the new Chairman of RWITC on Friday.

It is learnt that Bangalore Turf Club is likely to start inter-venue betting operations on Pune races from next week. It is hoped that the annual general body meeting of BTC which will be held on Monday does not throw spanner in the resumption of ties between the two clubs. The meeting should provide a healing touch. There are certain hawks who are out to destroy any agreement. If the settlement does not come about now, there is very little chance that it will ever happen. And this sure is to kill the sport in the long run. One hopes that the chairman of other turf clubs have impressed on both these clubs the need for a negotiated settlement in the overall interest of Indian racing. Whatever the protestation on the part of each club, the fact remains that the clubs cannot survive on their own and need each other`s cooperation.
Vivek Jain said that the RWITC, at the behest of the chairmen TAI, who were in Bombay for the chairman`s meeting agreed to voluntarily and without condition give the signal back to BTC and Mysore till November 1.

``It is hoped that this would create an atmosphere of goodwill and harmony as we can open discussions again with the new BTC committee post their AGM on September 26.

``It was also felt that should a resolution not be found to this imbroglio both sides think of appointing a mediator acceptable to both sides.

``I am more than hopeful that BTC will take this as a great gesture from the RWITC and we have made the first move towards a resolution.

``I must thank the chairmen TAI and my colleagues for playing a huge part in this way forward,`` said Vivek Jain.

One is not sure what the acceptable figure of Royalty that the RWITC would be happy to take and BTC to offer. Many former Stewards of BTC, senior members and veterans of racing believing that a figure of around Rs 3.4 crores inclusive of service tax should not bother the club too much as there is substantial turnover on RWITC racing in Bangalore. Mysore Race Club has also been dragged into the dispute and their income has been badly affected as the turnover on other centers do not match that generated on RWITC races.

The clubs should consider the sentiments of race goers while arriving at a solution. Whatever the mandarins at BTC might say, Hyderabad or Kolkata racing can never replace the glamour and acceptance of RWITC races. The club does not part with its money but that contributed by the race goers. Their sentiments should override any other consideration. A handful of members should not hold racing to hostage. Their contribution to racing is insignificant, most of them continuing to back on Pune racing through other channels while taking a hard posture regarding any negotiation. It is the ordinary punter who puts money on the club operated totalizators who is sustaining the sport. BTC should keep their interests in mind.

The greatest healing therapy is understanding and spirit of friendship and mutual respect. Healing is a moral thing to do. And this can come about without ego coming into play. Ego is one of the biggest weapons that can destroy us. One hopes the racing administrators realize this and show greater maturity in their actions.

 
 
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