Rains in Nuwara Eliya reins in the RTC

Continuous rain in Nuwara Eliya has forced abandonment of Horse racing events planned for August and September, by the Royal Turf Club (RTC), according to its President, Panduka Keerthinanda. The last time RTC conducted races was in April, with the successful Selvaratnam Challenge Trophy, Magic Million Cup and the Governor's Cup.

The next Race day was scheduled for August with the school holiday season, but was later called off after recommendations by experts, considering the wet weather.

"We had to forgo the races in August, due to many reasons. The weather was the most crucial aspect of all. Rain did not support RTC's intention of holding the planned events, as the racecourse was wet and unsuitable for racing. We tried our utmost to conduct the races as planned, but eventually had to give into the weather gods," Keerthinanda said.

Though the weather has slightly improved from what it was a few weeks back, it is not as supportive for the RTC or the horse owners. Experts say that the horses need ample time to warm up and get accustomed to the track and the weather conditions. However, some of the horse owners were willing to run their mares, if and when the RTC confirms a date.

"We are aware that the weather was not supportive for horse racing. But still, if the organisers come out with a fixed date, we are willing to race our horses. There are possibilities on worse conditions too. It's logical that during the last couple of months weather conditions transformed the track unsuitable for racing. But hopefully, things have improved now and there will be a Race day soon," concerned horse owners voiced out.

In addition to the weather setback, the RTC is facing another obstacle with the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex Authority (SNSCA), under which the venue comes. When the RTC was established in 2015, it had a long term agreement with the SNSCA, where the Nuwara Eliya Racecourse was fully refurbished with a major facelift project at a massive cost.

The agreement expires in December 2017, and the SNSCA has now come up with a different plan, where the right to hold events at the Nuwara Eliya Racecourse could be obtained for a period of 6 months, only through a tender. Keerthinanda feels the period granted by the SNSCA is insufficient, considering the development projects carried out by the RTC.

"The Sports Ministry has indicated this could be given through tender after 2017, and the RTC is ready to meet any future challenges. Our main intention is to develop Horse racing as a sport in the country and for sports tourism. But, I must also mention that the RTC is at a crossroad now, with this development. We are unsure what would happen after the initial 6 months, if we win the rights through a tender after December 2017. But, at present, there is only the RTC that makes use of the track with Horse racing, while there are no other active entities that could use and maintain the property and its facilities," Keerthinanda added.

However, the RTC is determined it could make up for what it missed out during the past couple of months. They are currently drawing up plans to hold races, with a watchful eye on the weather during the coming weeks, and complete at least two Race days before year end.