Close on the heels of Bangalore Turf Club losing the case in High Court and mandated to vacate its premises by September 22 with nowhere to go, the prestigious race club of India, the RWITC also finds itself in troubled waters following the termination notice slapped by Bombay Municipal Corporation asking the club to vacate its premises in 30 days for breach of lease agreement. The RWITC has lease agreement up to 2013 but the latest development is a result of the internecine quarrel that prevails at RWITC. Some of the committee members had raised a hue and cry about the Gallop Restaurant issue and attracted the attention of Bombay Municipal Corporation which took cognizance of the happenings. Now the corporation has hit back with a vengeance asking the club to vacate its premises at a short notice.

The quarrels as the one we are witnessing in race clubs in India are certainly not good for the sport as they spell the death knell of this ancient sport. There is trouble brewing in Bangalore, with the start of the summer season in doubt over certain financial measures taken by the club ostensibly to meet its statutory obligations which has resulted in owners losing stake money of about Rs 3 crores during the summer season. The Karnataka Trainers Association and Karnataka Racehorse Owners Association have been agitating against the club`s move to cut stakes. With BTC not in a position to negotiate as its chairman is out of the country, a stalemate appears a distinct possibility, resulting in the disruption of the season. Already the odds are high about the season starting on time on Saturday, May 15. The KTA and KROA has been insistent on its demand for restoration of all facilities that were available earlier and have not agreed for any change despite the club pleading its inability vis-à-vis the loss of its court battle and uncertainty prevailing over racing continuing beyond September in Bangalore. The club authorities are insisting that their measures have been due to the emerging situation and their case has strong merit.

However, the KTA and KROA believe that BTC`s decisions are not due to exigencies of circumstances and see political motives in the same. The situation is turning ugly by the day and there seems little hope of better counsel prevailing between the two warring groups. The BTC steps haven`t found acceptance possibly due to the fact that the decision makers may be lacking in credibility due to their past actions. The KTA and KROA has always taken to agitation, caring little for the consequence of its actions in these troubled times. When egos rule the roost, it is sure to cripple the sport. But who cares?

What is the way out of the present mess? The BTC does not want to change its stand and it is not prepared for any negotiation. The KTA and KROA on its part are also equally adamant. The best solution due to the hard stance taken by the respective bodies would be to form an arbitration panel, possibly comprising of three former chairman of BTC with financial background to check the veracity of the claims made by the club and the warring fraternity and give its independent assessment. The findings by such a committee should be binding on both the bodies. Till such time, a committee is formed and its findings are out, racing should continue without any disturbance. If the committee sees merit in restoring stakes to the old level, the club should restore the same at once. Or if the committee sees merit in BTC`s case, the same should be acceptable to all. The committee can also be asked to suggest ways and means to limit wasteful expenditure.

In such a scenario, no body will be seen as a victor. The sport of horse racing can only survive the threat of closure by the collective will of all passionate followers of the sport

The alarm bells are surely ringing for the sport. If we don`t pay heed, we will be writing the obituary of the sport before long.