The managing committee of the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) spearheaded by chairman Mr Shivashankar in a meeting on Wednesday decided to schedule the all-important Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the Club on Saturday, Nov 29, preponing the two-day week-end racing program. And BTC now will conduct races on Nov 27 & 28. The choice of the dates by the committee, who it is clear had not done their home work well will pose a problem, RWITC starting the Mumbai season On Nov 27.  In fact a week ago the decision makers of RWITC postponed the start of the season from Nov 23 to Nov 27 following torrential rains in Mumbai, which had flooded the track and the stables. The clash of dates, the mandarins of BTC agree should be avoided and in this scenario it will only happen if the decision makers of RWITC magnanimously agree to start their season a day earlier. 

The EGM called to debate on the two resolutions, the committee has drawn will need to gain the approval of the two-third (2/3) majority of the club members. A couple of senior members of the club disclosed that the consensus this time is to go with the government rather than a face-off, which could hurt the club and more importantly the sport at this premier centre. "The idea is to toe the government line, accept the offers and move to a new destination. The members should realise that they have no option, but to play it straight and impress on the government to seal a fair deal keeping the interest of sport in front," said a regular member. 

The BTC members first need to agree to the 110-120 acres of land that the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has promised to provide at the Kunigal Stud Farm and move the racing operations to Kunigal. The government has made it clear that the BTC need to build a new race course in two years time and move out, but an extension of time can be sought from the government after the approval of the members. Next is that BTC and the government have to file a compromise petition in Supreme Court subject to government allotment of land with clear titles. In addition the BTC wants six acres of land at the existing premises to conduct betting operations. It is learnt that the government is agreeable to part with only four acres. The committee revealed that they have plans to build a state of the art club house with good sporting facilities and six acres is a genuine requirement. 

Horse owner and secretary of Bowring Institute, HS Srikanth who played a stellar role and put Bowring on high road said: "The Kunigal offer is good. 60 kilometers from the existing location and it takes only 90 minutes by road. The hush-hush talks emanating from the corridors of power is that the second Airport is likely to come up at Nelamangala and if that happens BTC will hit the Jackpot," said Mr Srikanth pointing out that land at the heritage stud farm site will attract the big infrastructure developers and sports loving head honchos from the corporate world. The famed Kunigal Stud Farm is a good address and BTC can easily rope in the big players, the moment the land parcel is acquired," said Mr Srikanth, who changed the face of the Bowring Institute, while providing a new dimension to the club-culture in the garden city. 

"BTC should try and convince the government to give 130-150 acres at Kunigal. And if the club gains their pound of flesh, the club can also plan for a posh club house with staying facilities at Kunigal and a number of tech-park and hotel builders will readily invest in the high profile projects," said Mr Srikanth. 

BTC chairman Mr Shivashankar made it clear that after gaining the approval on the resolutions from the club members, the committee will tactfully work out on the important give and take proposals chalked out by the club and the government. "We are looking to gain a good deal and the government understands that BTC is no longer a cash rich club. In fact we are facing a cash crunch and effort is on to turn the tide in the year ahead," said Mr Shivashankar. 

When asked to comment on BTC only roping in 26 new members at a cost of 29.5 lakh including GST when compared to the hundreds lining up at a similar cost at all the leading social clubs in the city, a confident Shivashankar said: "The moment we get the land, racing aficionados will come into our fold. Membership at the moment is not a worry. It will be House-full the moment we reveal all our big plans," said Mr Shivshankar. 

Well the committee, it must be mentioned has played straight and sound on what at first was a tricky wicket and hopefully will continue to successfully negotiate the reverse swing from both ends.