Racing circles in Bangalore heaved a sigh of relief on Monday afternoon, when they learnt that the Karnataka Trainer's Association (KTA) has decided to help in resuming racing at the BTC without insisting on any preconditions. Their earlier demands of asking for written undertakings from the Chairman have been dropped. The Club in a very gracious gesture agreed to discuss the issues raised by the trainers, at the next Managing Committee meeting on the 31st of January.
The whole of last week was one of rigid posturing by the KTA and the Karnataka Race Owners Association (KROA). Till as late as Sunday evening, the trainers were seen announcing that they will not be putting entries for this week’s racing, unless the Club relented and agreed to their demands. Monday morning saw a huge turnaround in their stand, and things got sorted out in no time. A letter from the Club informing them that the Managing Committee shall discuss their demands on Thursday, and inform them about the outcome, was handed over to them.
Looking back on the strange activities at the BTC over the last seven days, it is quite difficult to understand the reasons for bringing racing to a standstill at this popular centre. Many racing fans have called from other cities and enquired as to "Why does this happen only in Bangalore?" Frankly speaking, we have no answer. The cancellation of the Poonawalla Bangalore Derby 2008 saw many leading contenders leave for Mumbai to take part in the Indian Derby. It is learnt that the rules of racing state that once a Derby is cancelled, it can only be re-framed. In other words, if the Club desires to have the 2008 version of this Classic, they shall have to announce a fresh date and call for fresh entries. It is all very confusing at the moment and things shall crystallize once normalcy is restored at the BTC.
The trainers must have realized by now that confrontation is never the best solution. All licence holders must learn to respect authority and not bring disrepute to an institution that is a prime source of livelihood for them. The Club authorities on their part must ensure that they take decisions in the best interests of the sport, and convey the same to the KTA. The air needs to be cleared and ambiguity removed from the system. I am sure it is not an impossible task. Harmony must return to the BTC and racing must resume. One lesson that everybody needs to learn from the happenings of the past week is that administration should not be challenged. A weak administration is bad for all sporting activities.
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