Dhunjibhoy is new RWITC chief

Dhunjibhoy is new RWITC chief
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

Mumbai, December 21: As expected, top breeder and owner Khushroo N Dhunjibhoy was elected as Chairman of the Royal Western India Turf Club Committee for the year 2000-01 at its annual general meeting held at the Mahalaxmi Race Course on Thursday. Dhunjibhoy's election was however, a mere formality following the withdrawal of top guns Dr Vijay Mallya and Ravi Ghai. Shivlal Daga was elected as Chairman of the Stewards.

But there was fierce contest for Board of Appeal. Out of the nine contestants six -- Kumar R Dalal, Ardeshir S Narielwala, Mohit S Lalvani, Mulraj D Goculdas, PM Rungta and Ashwin B Mehta -- got the members' nod edging out the remaining three -- Habib H Datoobhoy, Pramod V Jariwala and Anil P Kakodkar. Ardeshir S Narielwala was elected the chairman of the Board of Appeal.

Enough fireworks were on display no sooner the outgoing Chairman Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla finished his customary address highlighting achievements of the his committee. In the midst of booting from agitating workers attached to the Panther Racecourse Kamgar Sanghtana, who were camping outside the Race Course, Cyrus Poonawalla was given some torrid time by Maj. SK Lamba and Jimmy Avasia. They criticised the allotment of separate space of 472 square feet in the Members Stand to Vijay Mallya, Shapoor P Mistry and Cyrus Poonawalla for a period of 15 years for a meagre sum of Rs 60 lakh.

Lamba and Avasia demanded an extra-ordinary general meeting to be called to discuss the issue.

Lamba and Avasia alleged foul play in the allotments claiming that the members were not informed of the development and there was a clear lack of transparency.

But, Dr Poonawalla denied any wrong doing, saying that the Club had advertised prominently in newspapers inviting bids. He said that he was ready to consider the bids if anybody came forward.

Dr Mallya too seized the opportunity to convey his company UB Group's intentions to sponsor Night Racing. He said that the 30 per cent of the profit will be given to the Club. According to him it will not only increase the Club's revenue but will also help arrest the declining attendance.

RWITC Committee Members

Khushroo N Dhunjibhoy (Chairman)

Shivlal Daga (Chairman of the Steawards)

Vivek Jain

Diwan Arun Nanda

Ravi Parkash

Shyam M Ruia

Vijay B Shirke

Faizullah H Tapia

Ms Varsha M Thacker

Board of Appeal (with the number of votes they received)

Ardeshir S Narielwala (Chairman) (284)

Kumar R Dalal (333)

Mohit S Lalvani (260)

Mulraj D Goculdas (219)

PM Rungta (214)

Ashwin B Mehta (183)

Committee Members.

Chairman Of The Committee Khushroo N. Dhunjibhoy.

Chairman Of The Steaward.

Shivlal Daga.

1) Khushroo N. Dhunjibhoy.

2) Shivlal Daga.

3) Vivek Jain.

4) Diwan Arun Nanda.

5) Ravi Parkash.

6) Shyam M. Ruia.

7) Vijay B. Shirke.

8) Faizullah H. Tapia.

9) Ms. Varsha M. Thacker.