Dark clouds clearing over RWITC

Meanwhile, a new committee was elected last year raising hopes of steering the RWITC from the choppy seas. Legal luminary Goolam Essaji, who chaired the Board Of Appeal from its inception and who preferred to retire voluntarily, was persuaded to contest. Thegoodwill that he had earned in the past saw him win with a thumping margin. He promptly took initiative to bring the promoters of FFCR 8212; Ram Khanna and Fali Poncha 8212; and stalwarts of the committee on one table for the betterment of the racing in western India.

RWITC chairman Dr C S Poonawalla and Ravi Ghai have now joined hands with the promoters of FFCR. They are on the verge of achieving the main goal of reducing betting taxes which will increase the quantum of official betting and improve the attendance.

Though not all the committee members were unified in the crisis, the stewards nevertheless came to the club8217;s rescue. The RWITC8217;s losses for the current year shot the Rs 4 crore mark. But this deficit could be wiped out by admitting 400 life members who will bring Rs 1 lakh each with them.

Things are not all that bleak, though the recession is a factor that nobody can ignore.