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- By Parinda News Bureau, December 15, 2006, 12:00 IST
The Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) elections are here again and the contenders for the post of chairman are two of India's biggest industrialists, Vijay Mallya and Cyrus Poonawalla.
The race has turned the two friends into rivals. Mallya, known as the liquor baron is also the person behind Kingfisher airlines while Cyrus Poonawala heads the Poonawala group and is the owner of stud farms.
Cyrus Poonawala has been quoted as saying that he would like to continue being chairman as he has been heading RWITC for only a year now. If he has to step down he would see it as a 'dent to his prestige'. Poonawala on his part has indicated that he would be willing for split chairmanship too. During Poonawala's tenure, the betting turnover has increased from Rs.126 crores to Rs.143 crores while totalizator betting has increased from Rs.71 crores to Rs.83 crores. RWITC betting is handled by licensed official bookies at the venue as well as totalizator machines at windows managed by RWITC employees.
Vijay Mallya says, "Mr Poonawalla has been in the committee earlier. He has also been the chairman. And every member knows how his performance has been." Vijay Mallya has assured the members that he will give dedicated time to RWITC and also lobby with the government in his capacity as MP to reduce taxes on betting. Vijay Mallya supporters include Sunil Jhangiani, Ravi Ghai, Arun Nanda, Khushroo Dhunjiboy, Shyam Ruia and Vijay Shirke. Cyrus Poonawala has support in Shashi Chand Jain, Vivek Jain, Champaklal Jhaveri and Shivlal Daga.
On what makes him run for the post of RWITC chairman, speaking yesterday to the Economic Times via SMS, Vijay Mallya said,
"Horse racing is a sport that I love. It has dwindled in popularity, particularly in western India and has failed to attract
interest from the younger generation. This sport is not about gambling. It's about enjoyment and entertainment. Look at turf clubs in Singapore and Hong Kong, not to speak about the West. They attract huge crowds and provide great enjoyment - racing/ food and beverage/ music - a carnival atmosphere. The RWITC members deserve much improved facilities too."
Some believe that Mallya is too busy to give any time to the RWITC.
The turf club's 1,400 members will each have a vote and hectic lobbying goes on behind the scenes say sources. A Black Dog party for voters was organised by those close to Vijay Mallya and 2000 people attented the do. Mallya proposes to start night time racing and bring in more sponsors. The Poonawallas are adopting a more sober style of marketing with corporate presentations of their achievements and their future plans.
The RWITC is a club and has an official net worth of Rs 20 crore but its 200 acre land plot means it is really worth much much more. RWITC has been in the red for years now and both men claim they will bring it back into the black. Being at the helm of an organization that is sitting on so much of prime real estate is seen as a very powerful position.
For now it's time to wait and watch!
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